Nola Reporter

As we prepare to begin Daylight Savings Time this March, the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) would like to remind everyone that when you change your clocks to Spring forward on Sunday, March 10th don’t forget to test your home’s smoke alarms. Please take this opportunity to change the 9-volt backup battery if your home has a hard-wired smoke alarm system. If your home is protected by the old stand-alone 9-volt operated smoke alarms, please let the NOFD switch these antiquated alarms with new 10yr smoke alarms, FREE OF CHARGE. The NOFD will supply and install FREE 10yr smoke alarms for any Orleans Parish resident in need. If you or anyone you know is in need of this potentially lifesaving service please contact the NOFD at 504-658-4714 or you can make your request online at NOFD - Community Services - Free Smoke Alarm Installation - City of New Orleans (nola.gov) . 

For more information on the importance of home smoke alarms, please visit our website at NOFD - Topics - Safety Tips - City of New Orleans (nola.gov) or that of our partners at the American Red Cross  https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/fire-safety-equipment.html  

Most of us had hard-wired alarms installed in our homes with the repairs that followed hurricane Katrina. Those hard-wired alarms are recommended for only a 10yr lifespan, meaning most have since expired. If your home’s alarm system fits this description, please check the expiration date by disconnecting and looking at the back of the smoke alarm. Smoke alarms older than 10yrs can malfunction and are no longer covered by the manufacturer's warranty. NOFD personnel are not licensed to install “hard-wired” smoke alarms.

Original source can be found here.