By KALEY CONNER

kconner@dailynews.net

The Hays Fire Department soon will have 600 free smoke detectors available to Ellis County residents.

The department has received a grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to fund the alarm program for two consecutive years.

Alarms will not be available until February, but a waiting list already has begun, firefighter Ross Meder said.

"They've been very receptive of it," Meder said. "We've had a good turnout and a good welcoming."

The department will install the alarms from 6 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday after the alarms arrive. If residents purchase their own smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, they also can contact the fire department for free installation, Meder said.

Last year, the city received 480 alarms, which also were distributed by the Ellis County Rural Fire Department, the Ellis Fire Department and the Victoria Fire Department.

The average cost of a smoke alarm is about $10, Meder said, and it's recommended an alarm be installed in every bedroom and the adjacent hallway.

There also should be at least one alarm on every level of the home.

The grant allows for one residence to receive multiple alarms.

"Their main goal is to make sure that a house is adequately covered," he said.

The program has proven popular -- the department ran out of the alarms a few months ago, and still was receiving requests, Meder said.

The fire department is accepting donations to purchase additional alarms for residents in need.

"With 600 smoke alarms, we're going to be able to cover a good area. But there's always the potential that we need more," he said.

To request a free smoke detector, or to have one installed, contact the Hays Fire Department at (785) 628-7330.