Orange County Fire Rescue Launches New Door Alarm Program to Prevent Drownings

Free installations available for residents

Orange County, FL — Christina Martin is a local Seminole County mother and wife, passionate about educating the community on drowning prevention. She founded the Gunner Martin Foundation in 2016 following the tragic drowning of her two-year-old son, who quietly slipped outside to the family’s backyard pool, undetected. Christina turned her pain into purpose by dedicating her life to preventing other families from losing a child to drowning. Her mission is to bring awareness and education on water safety to families across the state of Florida.

She reached out to Orange County Fire Rescue in hopes to make a difference in her own backyard. In an effort to prevent drownings and bring awareness to water safety, Orange County Fire Rescue partnered with The Gunner Martin Foundation and purchased 1000 door alarms to install in Orange County residents’ homes for free. This door alarm program is one of the first in Central Florida to provide at-home installations.

“We are so grateful for Orange County Fire Department for identifying childhood drownings as an issue, for valuing their residents, and wanting to be a resource by providing free door alarms to families,” said Christina Martin. “A door alarm could have saved Gunner’s life. The door alarm could have quickly notified us that the sliding glass door was open, and Gunner could still be here today. This new program is crucial and will help keep children safe.”

Between 2019 to 2023, Orange County Fire Rescue responded to an average of 14 residential drownings each year, with the majority being pediatric patients. Drowning is the number one cause of accidental death in children ages one to four years old. Door alarms can act as a barrier and add a layer of protection, alerting a guardian when an entry way to a pool or body of water has been unexpectedly opened.

“The launch of this door alarm program is part of our ongoing efforts to deliver education and prevention programs that raise awareness, increase safety, and reduce risks within the community,” said Orange County Division Chief Kimberly Buffkin. “We are honored to partner with Christina and the Gunner Martin Foundation to expand the already robust list of services our department offers.”

The door alarm installations will be an ongoing program offered by Orange County Fire Rescue. To schedule a door alarm installation, visit OCFL.net/DoorAlarms.