OHIO — Teri Theiss was only 16 months old when she suffered life-threatening burns. 

A northeast Ohio resident is collecting smoke alarms to donate to people in need

She has collected nearly 100 smoke detectors 

She suffered life-threatening burns as a toddler

“My accident was because I pulled a percolator down on myself and was burned by hot coffee,” Theiss said. 

While she doesn’t remember the months she spent in the hospital fighting for her life, she can clearly recall the reactions to her burn scars that she received from other children growing up. 

She said changing in the school's locker room was a traumatic experience because when the other kids would see her burn scars, they would often make cruel remarks. 

"It was difficult to go through that," she recalled. "No one should have to go through the anguish of being made fun of because they look different or act different."

 It wasn’t until she was older that Theiss found her self-confidence through pageantry. 

“I was like you know what, these are mine and I’m going to embrace them," she said. "It is a part of who I am.” 

Now Theiss is the reigning Elite Ms. Ohio and has made burn prevention her platform. 

She has been hosting a smoke detector drive for the Tallmadge Fire Department.

So far, she has collected nearly 100 smoke alarms for people in need. 

If you would like to donate a smoke detector, you can find Teri Theiss on Facebook and send her a message. 

"I hope that it does save a life, or prevents a burn injury," she said.