In a bid to improve fire safety, several Texas cities and nonprofit partners offer free smoke alarm installation for residents in need. Arlington leads the charge with a program jointly run by the Red Cross of North Texas and the Arlington Fire Department.
Arlington, TX residents living in private homes—not apartments—who are 18 or older can request free smoke alarms. The program, open to all income levels, installs alarms in homes, mobile units, or RVs in leased parks.
Austin, TX provides free smoke alarms and home safety surveys to homeowners in private residences. Scheduling is available through the Fire Department’s hotline: (512) 974‑0299.
Houston’s “Get Alarmed” program distributes free 10-year battery alarms to homeowners in low‑income, elderly, or disabled households. Call 832‑394‑6633 to request installation.
Sugar Land, TX offers free smoke detectors and batteries to single-family homes. Residents may request individual alarms or schedule fire-safety surveys via the fire department.
Tomball, TX, in partnership with the Red Cross, installs free smoke detectors at no cost to residents. To sign up, contact the Tomball Fire Department at (281) 351‑7101.
Pearland, TX operates the “We’re Out to Alarm Texas” program, offering free alarms to homeowners who can demonstrate physical or financial need. Requests are made via an online form.
DeSoto, TX participates in the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, where volunteer teams install 10-year smoke alarms and conduct home safety discussions. Requests can be submitted online via RedCross.org/NTXAlarmRequest.
Red Cross Central, South, and Gulf-Coast Texas also enable residents unable to afford or install alarms to apply for free installations through the Sound the Alarm program via their local chapters.
These free programs aim to reduce residential fire fatalities by ensuring every home has working smoke detectors and by educating residents on emergency preparedness. Residents are encouraged to contact their local fire department or Red Cross chapter to participate.
Contact Info Summary:
- Arlington: Apply online or call AFD 817‑459‑5500
- Austin: Hotline (512) 974‑0299
- Houston: HFD Get Alarmed, 832‑394‑6633
- Sugar Land: City Fire Dept portal
- Tomball: Fire Dept (281) 351‑7101
- Pearland: Online form on city website
- DeSoto: RedCross.org/NTXAlarmRequest
