ABC7 celebrates 8th annual Operation 7: Save a Life

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- ABC7 launched it's 8th annual Operation 7: Save a life on Tuesday. It's a joint effort with local fire departments, the Home Depot and Kidde, the nation's largest supplier of fire protection products.

The campaign educates the public about the necessity for two home essentials, a working smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide detector. Hundreds of the devices are then given free of charge to low-income and elderly residents. Kidde is donating a total of 4,400. Over the past decade, the company has distributed more than 25,000 smoke alarms and 3,000 carbon monoxide detectors in the Bay Area. Sharon Cooksey is the marketing and communications manager for Kidde and says, "The donation of these working smoke and carbon detection alarms will go a long way in saving lives."

According to the National Fire Protection Association, three out of five deaths from house fires happen when there is no smoke alarm or when it's not working. Fire officials are reminding everyone to check the batteries and replace them when they hear a "chirping" noise indicating the battery is low. Lt. Jonathan Baxter from the San Francisco Fire Department says when the alarm sounds, there is little time to respond. "When it goes off, you have about three minutes to get out of your building and you should have at least two ways to get out of your home."

Some smoke detectors also have a feature alerting residents to carbon monoxide leaks. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can emit fumes when heaters are turned on in the winter, making this the peak time for deaths. It kills about 400 people each year.

The generous donations come on the National Day of Giving, making ABC7's Operation Save A Life particularly fitting this year.

Click here to learn more about Operation 7: Save a Life.