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Palm Harbor Firefighters Issue Warning On Scams

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: March 14, 2009

PALM HARBOR - Local fire officials are sounding an alarm and warning residents about firms looking to dupe them into purchasing costly fire suppression systems they do not need.

Palm Harbor Fire Rescue has recently been contacted by several people who have been talked into purchasing expensive hard-wired fire alarm systems, said Liz Monforti, spokeswoman for the community fire department. That is much more protection than a residence would require, she said.

A hard-wired fire alarm is connected to the residence's electrical system, but most homes only need battery-power alarms, Monforti said.

Unscrupulous vendors will install five or six smoke alarms and carbon monoxide sensors in a mobile home when one or two would do, she explained.

"These firms misrepresent themselves as working with or being endorsed by the fire department, which is definitely not true," Monforti stressed.

Fire departments provide free battery-powered smoke alarms to anyone who cannot afford them and will advise residents how to install the detectors at no charge, she said.

The people who get the alarms do not have to sign contracts or provide personal information, she said.

Many of the residents who have been fooled into purchasing expensive fire alarm systems are seniors, Monforti said. Unfortunately, law enforcement usually cannot take action because the victims have let salespeople into their homes and signed contracts, she said.

Some of these firms call residents and leave answering machine messages stating they are working with local fire departments to provide valuable lifesaving information. Some even say they are part of a fire prevention task force, "which is definitely not true," Monforti said.

There are no Pinellas County fire agencies working with firms that charge a fee to install smoke alarms or carbon monoxide sensors, she added.

In the event of a fire, a properly installed and maintained battery-powered smoke alarm can provide the early warning and save lives so they are very important, Monforti said.

People with questions about installing a smoke alarm or in need of a device should contact their local fire department, she said.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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