Free Smoke Alarm Tests Offered to Phoenixville Residents

It’s one thing to head to the hardware store and buy smoke alarms for the home. It’s a completely other thing to not only properly install them and keep them up to date. The Phoenixville Fire Department says that roughly three out of five fire-related deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or detectors that are not working.

The members of the fire department want to make sure no Phoenixville residents become a part of that tragic statistic by offering their services. One call to the firehouse, and a volunteer will travel to the home and install newly purchased alarms or make sure the current alarms are working.

To sign up for the program, call the Phoenixville Fire Department at (610) 933-9717.

Other safety tips from the department include:

• Install smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement.
• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use both types of alarms in the home.
• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
• Replace batteries in your smoke alarms yearly or more often as needed.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.