As a result of the deaths of Long Beach sisters Stephanie Aviles, 6, Jocelin Aviles, 7, and Jasmine Aviles, 10, following a fire early Friday in their illegally-converted garage home, free smoke detectors–now available at six city fire stations–will soon be available to all.

“A $4 instrument that has double-A batteries could have saved these people’s lives,” says John Edmond, chief of staff to Sixth District Councilman Dee Andrews.

In an effort to point that out–again–Andrews and Long Beach Fire Chief Dave Ellis will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Fire Station 10 to talk fire safety and to announce the city’s purchase of more than 2,000 smoke detectors that will broaden its ongoing free smoke detector program.

The city acquired thousands of free smoke detectors from Radio Shack about eight years ago, and has been giving them away free at fire stations 1, 3, 7, 10, 11 and 12, but Long Beach Fire Capt. Mike DuRee says those supplies were running low.

“We still have some of those smoke detectors left,” DuRee says. “But you know how that goes, it’s kind of a hot topic for a while and then it’s not. In light of the recent events, with the tragedy of those poor little girls, we thought it would be good to reinform the public and let them know.”

So, if you want a free smoke detector tomorrow–and some fire safety tips to go with it–visit Station 10, 1417 Peterson Ave. Firefighters there were first to respond Friday morning to the fire at the Aviles family home.

Otherwise, visit one of the other five stations with free smoke detectors, or wait until early next year, when they should be available at all.

For more information–and for fire station locations–call 562.570.2519.

Tags: Aviles family, Aviles sisters, California, car wash, converted garage, Dave Ellis, fire, free smoke detectors, illegal conversion, John Edmond, Long Beach, Mike DuRee, Sixth Council District, Southern California, space heater, The District Weekly, Theo Douglas