Change Smoke Alarm Batteries with Time Change

March 11, 2010

The Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department (FCVFD) reminds all residents that with the time change, this weekend is a good time to change the batteries in smoke alarms and CO detectors. 

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), more than 3,000 people die in home fires each year, and the majority of them have no working smoke alarm.

“The two times a year that we change time is good reminder to change batteries in all home smoke alarms and CO detectors,” said FCVFD Chief Paul Schomburg.  “It is also a good time to just make sure that alarms and detectors are working properly.”

The USFA offers a few helpful tips on smoke alarms:

• Place properly installed and maintained smoke alarms both inside and outside of sleeping areas and on every level of your home.
• Interconnected smoke alarms are best, because if one sounds, they all sound.
• The U.S. Fire Administration recommends that every residence and place where people sleep be equipped with both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.
• Test smoke alarms monthly and change alkaline batteries at least once every year, or as instructed by the manufacturer. You can use a date you already know, like your birthday or when you change your clocks as a reminder.

For members of the community who do not have working smoke alarms and cannot afford one, Arlington County’s Operation Firesafe provides free smoke alarms to Arlington and the City of Falls Church families in need.  If a resident does not have a working smoke alarm, call 703-228-4646 (TTY 703-228-4610) or complete the online form.  A representative of the Fire Department will follow up and make an appointment to install your smoke alarm.

For more information, contact Frank Bellavia at 703-798-7313.