Firefighters distribute free smoke detectors, batteries

5:34 p.m., Oct. 26, 2015--With daylight saving time ending this Sunday, Nov. 1, University of Delaware Environmental Health and Safety reminds members of the University community that while you're setting your clocks back an hour, it also a good time to change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. 

This year, in conjunction with the time change, the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association is promoting the Wake Up Delaware Campaign. 

FYI Stories

June 6: UDid It! Picnic

All UD faculty and staff members are invited to attend the annual UDid It! employee appreciation picnic, set from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Monday, June 6, on The Green.

2FA protects you

If you are using two-factor authentication (2FA), even if a hacker has your password, your information is probably safe.

• 2FA protects you
• Police training
• Traffic alert
• Library photo ID

All 86 fire stations in the state are participating in this program, which provides battery-operated smoke detectors, replacement 9-volt batteries and fire prevention information to residents who visit the firehouses. 

This year, Aetna Fire Department in Newark will have enough smoke detectors to hand out, but batteries are not as plentiful.

Residents are encouraged to visit their local firehouse to receive the free detectors and batteries. They will be asked to provide address information to assist fire department personnel in their continuing effort to ensure that every household in Delaware has at least one working smoke detector in place.

Brochures describing recommended installation practices are also available in English and Spanish. Those requiring assistance with installation or replacement are encouraged to ask their fire company for help.

 The Wake Up Delaware program was conceived in 2001 by members of the fire service, as the direct result of the tragic deaths of 16 Delawareans in two residential fires: five deaths in Broadkill in October 2000 and 11 deaths in Indian River in January 2001, where there were no working smoke detectors in place.

Wake Up Delaware has been recognized as the only initiative of its kind in the United States, where all fire stations in a state join together at the same time on a given day to distribute free smoke detectors and batteries to residents. Nearly 40,000 detectors and 25,000 batteries have been made available to residents, all free of charge, as a result of this program.