A functioning smoke detector could mean a free Domino's Pizza Tuesday evening for any Poplar Bluff, Mo., resident who is randomly chosen from among the call-in orders during a four-hour period.
To promote fire safety during Fire Prevention Week, the Poplar Bluff Fire Department is teaming up with the local Domino's and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for a special safety campaign.
Between 4 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, anyone who orders a Domino's pizza may be randomly selected to "have their pizza delivered by one of our fire trucks and then someone from Domino's," said Chief Ralph Stucker.
If the home has a working smoke detector, "Domino's will donate the pizza; it will be free," Stucker explained. "If they don't have working smoke detector, they have to pay for the pizza, and our crews will install a working smoke detector at that time."
Fire safety is extremely important, Poplar Bluff Domino's franchise owner David Bumpus said in a news release.
"We're excited to partner with the NFPA and Poplar Bluff Fire Department for a program that not only promotes the safety of our friends and neighbors, but rewards those who make fire safety a priority," Bumpus said.
Although Domino's and the NFPA have teamed up in past years, Stucker said, this will be the first time for his department to participate.
Stucker described the program as a great one and one he hopes works out well as he would like to see the department participate every year.
"It's a great opportunity if there's not smoke detectors in the house ... to get them there," Stucker said.
This year's Fire Prevention Week theme, which runs today through Saturday, is: "Every second counts: plan two ways out."
According to research from the NFPA, Stucker said, today's home fires burn faster than ever.
"The synthetic fibers used in modern home furnishings, along with the fact that newer homes tend to be built with more open spaces and unprotected lightweight construction, all contribute to an increased rate at which fire burns," Stucker explained.
Those factors, he said, make having working smoke detectors, a home escape plan and practicing it incredibly critical.
"From the time the smoke alarm sounds, you may have less than two minutes to escape a home fire safely," Stucker said. " ... Home escape plans and working smoke detectors saves lives."
Customers can call Domino's in Poplar Bluff, located at 2205 N. Westwood Blvd., at 573-686-7291 to place their order and be eligible for fire engine delivery.