The Middletown Fire Division will provide smoke detectors to home owners in the city as part of a community-wide fire prevention effort.

The Middletown Fire Division’s Fire Prevention campaign is part of an effort to reach out to local residents, including older adults, young residents and those who live in neighborhoods more vulnerable to fire deaths, according to the department.

“Smoke alarms are the most effective early warning device there is,” said Middletown Fire Division Chief Paul Lolli in a press release. “… just having a smoke alarm in your home cuts your chance of dying in a reported fire in half.”

The Middletown Fire Department is also providing additional fire prevention material as a part of this program, including fire escape plans and what to do if a smoke detector sounds, according to Middletown Fire Division Captain Stephen Ludwig.

Homeowners can fill out an application on the Middletown Fire Division website at www.cityofmiddletown.org/fire.

Applications will be reviewed to assure that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements, which can also be found on the city’s website.

To be eligible, the applicant must be the homeowner and reside in the home as well as be a resident of Middletown.

If approved, the applicant will be contacted by a member of the Fire Division to either schedule a time to pick the smoke alarm up from fire headquarters or for a fire department member to install the smoke alarm in the applicant’s home.