SMOKE DETECTORS / ALARM

It is a proven fact that Smoke Detectors, also known as Smoke Alarms, save lives. But, they can only protect you if they are properly installed and maintained. With very few exceptions, most fire fatalities occur in homes without a working smoke detector. It is truly the "cheapest form of life insurance you can buy."

INSTALL:

The Fort Worth Fire Department recommends that you install at least one smoke detector on every level of your home. Even better is one in every bedroom. Smoke detectors are designed to wake you up if a fire starts while you are sleeping. Be sure to install smoke detectors near bedrooms and any other areas that are used for sleeping. Be sure to follow the instructions included with the detector to insure proper placement.

TEST:

When was the last time you heard the alarm sound on your smoke detector? Battery-operated detectors should be tested once a month to make certain they are working.

CHANGE BATTERY & CLEAN UNIT:

You should replace the battery in each smoke detector at least once a year. A good way to remember this is, "change your clocks - change your batteries." This slogan is used by the fire service nationally to provide an easy reminder to change the detector battery each time you adjust your clocks for Daylight Savings Time.

The changing of the battery is also a perfect time to do a little maintenance on the unit. Just like other places in our homes, dust will collect over time on smoke detectors. Unfortunately, these dust particles may keep the unit from operating properly. To clean, just use the soft brush cleaning attachment that is part of most vacuum cleaners.

REPLACE:

It is now recommended that smoke detectors be replaced every ten years. After ten yours a smoke detector has worked continuously for over 87,000 hours. If you do not know how old your smoke detector is, or if it is known to be at least ten years old, replace it with a new unit as soon as possible.

FREE SMOKE DETECTOR PROGRAM:

The Fort Worth Fire Department wants to insure that you and your family are safe from ravages of fire. One way that we try to accomplish this is with our "Smoke Detector Program" where we provide free smoke detectors to our citizens.

If you are in need of a smoke detector, please contact our Public Education Section at 817-392-6862. Your information will then be forwarded to the closest fire station to your home. Later, a firefighter will call to schedule a convenient time to come to your home to install the detector

DO YOU RENT?

Whether you live in a rented house or an apartment, your landlord is required by city ordinance to provide you with a working smoke detector. However, once installed and/or verified that the detector is working correctly, it then becomes the responsiblity of the tenant for maintaining the unit in working order.