Whole Lotta Shakin’

 Bed shaker smoke alarms can help protect the hearing impaired

By Lafe Low, Red Cross writer

When Fernando “Fern” Gagne and Lila Tardie first had a ‘Bed Shaker’ smoke alarm installed in their home, it was to protect Fern’s son who was staying with them at the time. Fern’s son is deaf. 

People who are deaf or hard of hearing are particularly vulnerable when it comes to home fires because they may not be able to hear the sound of a traditional smoke alarm. Delayed notification reduces the chances of getting out of a burning home safely. Many people don’t realize you have as little as two minutes to escape before it’s too late. 

As the years went by, Fern grew increasingly concerned about Lila’s hearing. So, when the time came to have their smoke alarms replaced, Fern asked the Red Cross about installing the specialized alarm for Lila too. It is installed next to the bed, and alerts those in the home using a strobe light and vibrating pad that can be placed under the mattress or pillow. 

“We tested it out. It goes ‘whir.’ It feels good,” Fern says with a grin. 

Fern, who is 93 years old, feels much safer having the bed shaker alarm for Lila, who is 86. “I robbed the cradle,” he jokes. 

The Red Cross first came to their house in Wallagrass, Maine nearly 10 years ago. “It’s a relief,” says Fern. “I love my little Lila, and I sure don’t want her to burn up.”

Red Cross Aroostook County community manager Brian Bouley and volunteer Bob Bouchard installed Fern and Lila’s original smoke alarms years ago. They recently returned to replace the nearly expired ones and install the bed shaker alarm for Lila.

“We come in and talk to the people to determine if they actually need them,” says Brian of the bed shaker smoke alarms. “We came in and talked to Lila, and we could tell right away that she needed one. Some other people, we would test smoke alarm, and they could hear it from the other room, so we don’t put in shaker alarms.”  

In the event of a fire or smoke in the house, when the traditional smoke alarm goes off, there’s a sensor in the bed shaker alarm that picks up on the sound and recognizes the pattern. That sets off the bed shaker alarm and starts shaking the bed. “You have to be sure the smoke alarm is compatible [with the bed shaker alarm],” says Bob. “They work together.” 

Brian and Bob conducted a full test of the system in Fern and Lila’s home. “You have to test the alarm that is farthest from the bed shaker alarm,” says Fern. 

That’s not all Brian and Bob did during their recent visit with Fern and Lila. “They had a carbon monoxide (CO) detector that was installed in the house, and it was up above my head. And I’m 6’4”,” says Brian. “We knew the CO detector was installed in the wrong place, so Bob and I lowered it down to within 18 inches of the ground. CO is a heavier gas, so it sinks down to the floor.”

Fern was most appreciative of the extra effort. “They went beyond the call of duty there,” he says. “It feels good.”   

Fern would encourage anyone who wants or needs their smoke alarms inspected or installed to contact the Red Cross. “By all means, I’m 100 percent for it. You’ve got everything to gain and nothing to lose,” says Fern. “It’s a no brainer.”

Fern also appreciates time spent with Brian and Bob. “They’re just great. We have fun every time they come,” he says.

Bob has been a volunteer with the Red Cross for 15 years. While he does mostly disaster relief, he has also installed more smoke alarms than he can remember. “I’ve lost count,” he says. “One time the fire department was involved. We had a lot of people and that makes a big difference. We did 500 [smoke alarms] in four hours.” After Brian and Bob finished installing and testing with Fern and Lila’s smoke alarms, on the way out, Bob urged Fern to promise to call him back in 10 years to update the alarms.

FREE SMOKE ALARMS AND FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION AVAILABLE  Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster, claiming seven lives (mostly children and the elderly) every day across the country – and injuring more than 30. So far this year, the Red Cross has responded to nearly 450 home fires across Northern New England, providing critical aid to more than 1650 people across the region. Smoke alarms save lives, doubling your chances of survival. In 2025, the Red Cross installed more than 2,700 free smoke alarms – and nearly 90 deaf and hard of hearing ‘bed shaker’ alarms across Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. These lifesaving devices are provided at no cost thanks to the generosity of our donors.

Those in need can visit redcross.org/EndHomesFiresNNE or call 1-800-464-6692 (Option 4) to schedule a free installation. A member of our Red Cross team will follow-up to schedule your smoke alarm installation and fire safety education appointment.