What's the Expiration Date on Your Smoke Alarm?

From the City of Falls Church:

Does your home have a smoke alarm? According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the answer is likely yes: NFPA research shows that most American homes have at least one. But do you know how old your smoke alarms are? If you’re like most people, you’re probably not so sure.

“Time and again, I’ve seen the life-saving impact smoke alarms can have in a home fire, but I’ve also seen the tragedy that can result when smoke alarms aren’t working properly,” says Capt. Tom Polera, City of Falls Church Fire Marshal. “That’s why we’re making a concerted effort to educate Falls Church residents about the overall importance of smoke alarms. NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code®, requires smoke alarms be replaced at least every ten years, but because the public is generally unaware of this requirement, many homes have smoke alarms past their expiration date. To find out how old your smoke alarm is and its expiration date; simply look on the back of the alarm where the date of manufacture is marked. Replace the alarm if it is older than ten years and remember to test it monthly.”

As the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years, NFPA is promoting this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Don’t Wait - Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every Ten Years,” to better educate the public about the critical importance of knowing how old their smoke alarms are and replacing them once they’re ten years old. Fire Prevention Week is October 9-15, 2016.

The Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department and Arlington County Fire Department will be hosting an Open House at Fire Station 6, 6950 Little Falls Road, Arlington, VA on Saturday, October 15, 2016 from 10am-4pm
in support of Fire Prevention Week.

Image via Shutterstock