Free Steak Dinners Being Used To Sell Very High-Priced Smoke Alarms In Petaluma: Officials Warn

News from the Petaluma Fire Prevention Bureau:

PETALUMA, CA - The Petaluma Fire Marshal has been made aware of salespeople who are locally marketing very expensive residential smoke alarm systems.

One company advertises a “Free Dinner” at a local restaurant where members of the public are invited to “win door prizes, and see a short film on fire prevention.” Fire Department Staff attended one of the dinners and stated: “The information they provide focuses on older smoke alarm technology (ionization) that is no longer the industry standard.”

Several residents have contacted Petaluma Fire Department with concerns about very expensive Crossfire smoke alarms.

One recent complaint involved a quote for three smoke alarms for $1,412, or about $470 per smoke alarm. Crossfire smoke alarms meet State Fire Marshal standards. However, a good quality dual-sensor smoke alarm typically costs about $30 per unit.

At the dinner, fire prevention staff noted that fire safety products were not sold and prices were not provided. Instead, those in attendance were offered “Free Home Safety Checks.”

The United States Fire Administration recommends dual sensor smoke alarms which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors be placed on every floor of your home, in every bedroom and in the hallway outside of each sleeping area. The recommended dual alarms can be purchased for about $30 per unit at most hardware stores.

The Fire Marshal stated, “The Petaluma Fire Department does not want complaints to undermine the important message that families need early fire detection in their homes and urges everyone to make sure approved smoke detectors are installed in their residences. The Fire Department encourages consumers to research costs before purchasing smoke alarms.”

For more information on smoke alarms, please visit the U.S. Fire Administration website at https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/smoke_alarms.html.

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