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Smoke Alarm

Smoke alarms save lives, but only if they are properly installed and functioning. Most fatalities happen in home without working smoke alarms.

Smoke Alarm Facts

Install

The Pueblo West Metropolitan Fire Department recommends that you install at least oneSmoke Detector smoke alarm on every level of your home, including the basement. Even better is one in every bedroom. Smoke alarms are designed to wake you up if a fire starts while you are sleeping. Be sure your smoke alarms are near bedrooms and other sleeping areas in your home.

Test

When was the last time you heard your smoke alarm? Battery-operated alarms should be tested once a month to make certain they are working.

Change

Replace the batteries in your smoke alarm once a year. The Pueblo West Metropolitan Fire Department recommends you do this when we change our clocks to Daylight Savings Time each fall. Install a new battery immediately if an alarm "chirps" to indicate a low battery.

A ten-year lithium battery smoke alarm does not need to have its battery changed. Replace smoke alarms that use extended-life, lithium batteries when the alarm "chirps" or fails to respond to periodic testing. The batteries in these units cannot be replaced.

False Alarm

Use the hush button to silence a false alarm. Never disconnect or remove the battery. If your smoke alarm does not have a hush button use a magazine or kitchen towel to wave fresh air into the detection unit.

Replace

Replace your smoke alarm every ten years. After ten years, your smoke detector will have been working consecutively for 87,000 hours. No other appliance in your home works this long. If you do not know how old your smoke alarm is, or if it is ten years or older, replace it as soon as possible

Free Smoke Alarms For Qualified Home Owners

Do you need smoke alarms in your home? You may qualify for free smoke alarms from the Pueblo West Metropolitan Fire Department if you meet the following criteria:

  • You live in the District of Pueblo West.
  • You own and live in your home.
  • You are living on a low income, are a senior citizen or are disabled.
  • A limited supply of Deaf/HOH smoke alarms are available for qualifying households.

If you fit these criteria and wish to request the installation of smoke alarms in your home, call the Pueblo West Metropolitan Fire Department at (719) 547-7337 to learn more about this program.

Do You Rent And Need A Smoke Alarm?

Whether you live in a rented house or apartment, your landlord is required to provide you with a working smoke alarm. Tenants are responsible for maintaining the smoke alarm(s) in good working condition.

If your rental property does not have a smoke alarm, inform your landlord of this obligation. If you are having difficulty communicating with your landlord about this matter the following organizations may be of assistance: