Apply for a Free Smoke Alarm from Cedar Rapids Fire Department

The time to "fall back" is quickly approaching. Sunday, November 7 we set our clocks back for the return of Daylight Saving Time. You'll hear a lot of reminders about it and the debate about whether we should even have it. There's no debate about the need to keep yourself, your family, and your home safe. The time to change the clocks, according to experts, is the time they also strongly suggest switching out the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

But not only that, did you know there's a period of time after which the smoke detector itself should be replaced? Iowa's News Now, via the Cedar Rapids Fire Department (CRFD) says that it should be done every 10 years. The proper placement is important too. Sleeping rooms on every level of your dwelling and the hallways outside them should all have a properly working smoke detector. If yours are at or near the ten-year mark there is a program through the CRFD where you could qualify for one for free.

To qualify, your household should have at least one of the following:

• An elementary-aged student
• A senior 65+ years old
• A member who does not speak English as their first language

Now, there are certain limitations on who does not qualify:

• Your alarms are hard-wired; this means the alarms mainly receive power from your home and have battery backup
• You rent your home. In this case, speak to your landlord about new alarms
• You do not live within Cedar Rapids

If you would like to apply for this limited offer, you can do so here. A CRFD representative will then be in touch. For more information, please call (319)286-5218 or email s.henderson@cedar-rapids.org. Ask as well about having CRFD install it for free.