Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms save lives.  

There is no doubt that the earliest notification of a fire in your home gives you the best chances of getting out alive.  Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a huge role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. Most people underestimate how fast fire grows and how quickly the smoke spreads.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • At a minimum, install smoke alarms in each bedroom where residents sleep. 

  • Place a smoke alarm in the hallway outside the bedrooms. 

  • A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.

  • Interconnected hard-wired smoke alarms are recommended because when one alarm senses smoke and alarms, they all alarm.  If you install regular battery-powered alarms be very diligent about changing batteries once a year or when they begin to chirp.

  • Both types (interconnected and battery-powered) have 9 volt batteries that must be changed once a year or when they begin to chirp.  When one begins to chirp, change the batteries in every smoke alarm.  The system sometimes chooses one alarm to chirp when the low battery is in another alarm in the system.

  • Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

If Your Smoke Alarm Goes Off

If the smoke alarms in your home or business are going off and you are unsure of why, please leave the building and call 911.

If you need assistance with a chirping smoke alarm or with help troubleshooting a smoke alarm problem, please call us at 479-968-2332. If no one answers please leave your name and number and your call will be returned as quickly as possible. If you leave a message on the weekend know that your call will not be returned until Monday.

Smoke Alarm Assistance - What We Can Do

The Russellville Fire Department provides assistance to qualified citizens with smoke alarm issues. There is, however, a limit to the assistance we can provide. Please use the following information to determine if you meet the qualifications for assistance:

  • Russellville Fire Department will assist with smoke alarms for persons who are elderly or disabled.

  • Free smoke alarms will be installed in the homes of persons who are financially unable to purchase smoke alarms. 

  • Batteries will be changed in smoke alarms that are located no higher than 10 feet from the floor on walls or ceilings. If the smoke alarm cannot be reached with a 6-foot ladder, Russellville Fire Department is not able to provide assistance.

  • A limit of 3 smoke alarm batteries will be changed in each home.

  • Russellville Fire Department cannot do any sort of wiring work or installation of new alarms using your home’s wiring.

If you need assistance but do not meet these qualifications we ask that you contact a qualified electrician or handyman to assist you with your smoke alarm needs.