Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are an important tool used to alert you if there is smoke present in your home. You may find smoke alarms annoying when they sound when your cooking or start chirping when its time to replace the batteries, but did you know:

• When your sleeping, you lose your sense of smell.

• Smoke from fire contains a deadly gas called carbon monoxide, which is odorless and colorless.

• With a modern alarm system installed by an alarm company, the fire department will automatically get dispatched if the system detects smoke or carbon monoxide in your home, even if you're not at home.

Smoke Alarm Tips

• Place a smoke alarm in every bedroom, in the hallway and on each level of your home.

• Some smoke alarms are specifically designed for kitchens or bathrooms to avoid false alarms.

• To avoid delays or false alarms, do not place a smoke alarm within 3 feet of an air supply register or near fireplaces and wood stoves.

• Test your smoke alarms monthly and change the battery at least twice a year or sooner if the smoke alarm signals a low battery. Daylight Saving Time is a good reminder - when you change your clocks, change your batteries.

• If you hear a chirping noise, usually every 60 seconds, the battery is dying. Change the battery immediately. Once the battery is dead, you have no protection.

• If your smoke alarm is sounding continuously, call 911.

Free Smoke Alarm Installations

West Florence Fire Department offers free smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm installations for residents within the West Florence Fire District. For more information or to schedule an installation, refer to the contact information at the bottom of the page.