Niverville’s Fire and Emergency Services Department is once again offering to install free smoke alarms. The offer is earmarked for those who live in older homes with battery-only alarms, as opposed to newer builds which come with hard-wired alarm systems.

Fire Chief Keith Bueckert emphasizes that homes should have at least one smoke alarm on every level of a home—and he adds that it should be located close to sleeping areas.

Bueckert says that the new alarms they’re giving away have lithium batteries that are designed to last for ten years and only require regular testing to make sure they’re still operational.

If a resident isn’t sure whether they have a hard-wired alarm or a battery-only alarm, they can make the determination by taking the unit off the wall or ceiling. If wires are hooked into the alarm, then it’s hard-wired. If the unit comes off with nothing attached to it, that means it’s battery-only, which means this year’s free alarm program is for you.

Residents are encouraged to email the fire department to set up an appointment, or they can be contacted through their Facebook page (contact information below). Bueckert says that all people need to do is include their address, and someone from the department will get back to them.

“It’s important to remember that smoke alarms should be replaced every ten years,” says Bueckert. “If replacing a hard-wired alarm, ensure they have a battery backup in case of home power failure. If you have gas appliances, when changing hard-wired alarms get a smoke and carbon monoxide combination alarm.”

Residents of other communities, too, should check with their local fire departments on the availability of free alarms.