The deadline is fast approaching for homeowners in the City of Picayune to apply for a smoke detector which has a ten year battery.

Picayune Fire Department Training Officer Barry Lee said the department is primarily looking to help homeowners who are elderly, disabled or of low income.

The smoke detectors are funded by a Mississippi State Fire Marshall’s grant and the deadline to install them is May 31, said Fire Chief Keith Brown. Rental properties do not qualify for the grant.

Interested parties should call the fire department at 601-798-7862. Lee said applicants can leave their name and address with the department and a member of the department will return the calls to set up appointments.

The smoke detectors will be installed by one of the two firefighters who come to the home. The other firefighter will instruct the homeowner about fire safety and help the homeowner fill out the necessary paper work, Lee said. The entire process should only take about 15 minutes.

Brown said department personnel was able to install thousands of the smoke detectors the last time the program was offered in Picayune. If smoke detectors are still available as the deadline approaches, all homeowners may be able to apply for them.