In recognition of National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 5-11, Batteries Plus Bulbs of Waynesboro seeks to educate community members on how to properly install and maintain smoke alarms. To kick off the week, the Waynesboro store will host an event on Saturday, Oct. 4, complete with the fire department, a fire truck and a new Kid’s Safety House. Refreshments will be provided.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooling is the leading cause of home structure fires and injuries, followed by heating equipment. Working smoke alarms are critical to safety and to ensure that an alarm is constantly on alert and scanning the air for the first sign of smoke and flames, Batteries Plus Bulbs reminds locals to take the following precautions:
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level of the home
- Refrain from placing smoke alarms near bathrooms, heating appliances, windows or ceiling fans
- As a general practice, replace smoke alarm batteries once a year
- Switch out all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, after they have been in use for at least 10 years
- Consider purchasing lithium batteries to power smoke alarms; they last longer and are more reliable than alkaline batteries
- Each month, push the alarm’s test button to ensure that all batteries are working properly
- Take note of the alarm’s “chirping” sound, which indicates that the battery is low and needs to be replaced immediately
- Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home so that when one sounds, they all sound—this will ensure the alarm is loud enough to alert everyone!
Batteries Plus Bulbs will be giving away free 9-volt batteries for home smoke alarms at the in-store event.
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