The Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company will distribute free smoke detectors to seniors 65 and over as part of its ongoing Fire Safety Education Program.

Battery-operated smoke detectors will be distributed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 9 through 11 at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center at 2525 Rochester Road.

Monday and Tuesday’s distribution will be held in Council Chambers. Wednesday’s will be held in the Bear Run Room.

To receive a free smoke detector, a person must be a township resident who owns his or her own home.

Detectors will be given on a first come, first served basis with a limit of two per household while supplies last.

Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company officials strongly believe in the importance of having working smoke detectors: Research indicates 3 out of 5 fire deaths occur in homes without functional alarms.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration and the American Red Cross, the risk of dying in a home fire is reduced by 50 percent when a working smoke alarm is installed.

Seniors are among the most vulnerable homeowners.

Data indicates seniors are 2.7 times more likely to die in a house fire. Those 85 and over are 3.8 times more likely than the total population.

Seniors comprise 8.5 percent of the township’s population.