Operation 7: Save a Life to give carbon monoxide detectors to needy families

Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the nation. Once again, ABC7 News has partnered with Kidde and Home Depot to make carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms available to those who need them and can't afford them.

In Santa Clara County, a 911 call from a home triggers an immediate search for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. If there are none, firefighters go to work.

PHOTOS: ABC7 and partners team up for fire safety, CO awareness

"We actually install them right then and there. We don't leave until it's actually done," said Deputy Chief John Justice of the Santa Clara County Fire Department.

Santa Clara County can afford to do that thanks to the donation and distribution of these devices by Kidde, the largest manufacturer of fire safety products, The Home Depot and ABC7 News.

This year 3,000 of smoke alarms and 300 carbon minoxide detectors will be given to the public. The campaign is called Operation 7: Save a Life.

The Oakland and San Francisco fire departments will make their detectors available in a different way.

"We have outreach programs like street fairs, we distribute them. Sometimes we do work site safety fairs. We bring it there to distribute to the workers," sand San Francisco Fire Department Lt. Mary Tse.

Nearly half of the nation's fire deaths occur in the few homes that don't have smoke alarms. Last year, more than 3,000 people died in home fires and more than 17,000 were injured.

"It's always one of the sad days that we have when we respond to a home fire and we have fatalities," Justice said.

Carbon monoxide detectors are already required in all California homes and beginning in January, all hotels and motels must have these units.