Smokin'

Carla and James Owings never really thought about the fact that the apartment they've lived in for the last 26 years didn't have a smoke detector.

Then Carla, who's legally blind, had a stroke in February. Her husband is totally blind and was left at home alone while she recuperated in the hospital.

"We just never did do it," Carla said. "Now we've got one, and I'm thankful for it."

The Owings are Odessa's first couple to benefit from the We're Out to Alarm Texas smoke alarm campaign. The program, now in it's fourth year, provides free smoke alarms to low-income and elderly residents in cities throughout the state. This is the first year for Odessa to take part.

Firefighters, State Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado, Insurance Council of Texas spokesman Mark Hanna and Odessa Fire Marshal Detra White crowded into the Owings' apartment Wednesday to install their alarm.

"(The program) has saved a lot of property, but more importantly, it has saved three lives," Hanna said at Central Fire Station before the installation.

The Odessa Fire Department has 100 smoke alarms to give away. There's no set income limit to qualify, as long as it's on the low side, and the elderly and homes with young children are the program's main targets.

All it takes is a call to the fire department.

Alarms will be given away on a first-come, first-serve basis, and firefighters will install the devices for free. If the fire department gets called out to any of the homes that use We're Out to Alarm Texas detectors, they'll document the run to track the program's success in saving lives.

Maldonado said the alarms are state of the art. They can even be programmed to respond to a TV remote for monthly checks, which is good news for Carla.

"You mean I can't let James look around to see if there's any smoke?" she joked after learning about her new alarm's high-tech feature.

Maldonado said having a working smoke detector in a home reduces the chances of fatality by fire by 50 percent.

"If it sounds, assume that there's a fire, get up and get out," he said.

Shelby Bogan of Bogan, Dunlap and Wood Insurance Agency said his partnership with We're Out to Alarm Texas is well worth it.

"If we save one life in this community, the program has more than paid for itself," Bogan said.

 AT A GLANCE:

>> What: We're Out to Alarm Texas smoke alarm campaign.

>> Where: The Odessa Fire Department has 100 alarms to give away to low-income persons and the elderly.

>> How: Call the fire department at 335-4650. They'll install the alarm and help with maintenance for free.

>> How much: At $30 each, this year's smoke alarm donation adds up to $3,000.