State Distributes 30,000 Free Smoke Alarms

Mississippi's fire marshal and insurance department are handing out lithium battery smoke alarms at no cost to residents across the state.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Insurance

Round white smoke alarm mounted on a pale hallway ceiling, photographed from below in soft daylight, suggesting a home fire-safety installation. — Mississippi's State Fire Marshal's Office and Insurance Department have distributed more than 30,000 free lithium-battery smoke alarms statewide, with local firefighters installing them at no cost. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Mississippi State Fire Marshal's Office and Mississippi Insurance Department have distributed more than 30,000 free 10-year lithium battery smoke alarms. Local firefighters will install the alarms in homes statewide at no cost to residents.

Why it matters

Mississippi has recorded 67 fire deaths in 2026 and has consistently ranked among the top 10 states nationally for fire deaths per capita. The program aims to expand working smoke alarm coverage in homes across the state.

The 30,000 alarms were bought with $500,000 in Federal Emergency Management Agency grant funding, and firefighters will also distribute 30,000 educational brochures during installation visits. The number of installed alarms completed to date has not been reported.

The players

Mississippi State Fire Marshal's Office

The state office responsible for fire safety and prevention programs across Mississippi, which oversees the smoke alarm distribution effort.

Mississippi Insurance Department

The state regulatory agency that oversees the insurance industry in Mississippi and is co-leading the free smoke alarm program.

The details

The Mississippi State Fire Marshal's Office and Mississippi Insurance Department are distributing the alarms, with the first batch handed out to Jackson Metro area fire departments on November 5, 2026. Fire departments receiving alarms include Jackson, Brandon, Terry, Vicksburg, Pearl, Ridgeland, Madison, and the Reservoir, and residents can request installation through their local fire department or county fire coordinator under the Free Smoke Alarm Installation Program.

November 5, 2026: First alarms handed out to Jackson Metro area fire departments.
Over the next two weeks: Alarms will be delivered to other parts of the state.

Market Dynamics

The distribution relies on federal Fire Prevention and Safety grant money channeled through FEMA, reflecting how states use federal funds to reduce residential fire losses. The effort targets a state that has long ranked among the top 10 nationally for fire deaths per capita.

Residents can request a free smoke alarm installation through their local fire department or county fire coordinator at no cost. Working smoke alarms may reduce the risk of fire losses that could otherwise affect household finances and insurance claims.

The takeaway

Requesting a free smoke alarm installation through your local fire department or county fire coordinator is a no-cost step toward protecting your home. Confirm that working alarms are installed on every level of your household.

What happens next

Smoke alarms will be delivered to other parts of the state over the next two weeks, with installations continuing as local fire departments receive them.