SMOKE ALARMS: MAKE THEM WORK FOR YOU
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (October 4th, 2024): Berkeley County Fire Chief Martin Roberts emphasizes the importance of working smoke detectors and having a family evacuation plan in the event of a fire emergency in your home. Early detection of smoke and fire in your home truly is a matter of life and death. Create a family fire escape plan and make sure all family members know what to do when they hear the BEEP, BEEP, BEEP.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requires smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside all sleeping areas, and on every level of the home, including the basement. Right click on this link to view the West Virginia code on smoke detectors: https://firemarshal.wv.gov/Documents/Smoke%20Detector%20and%20CO%20Statute.pdf
Berkeley County Fire Department offers the following tips for making sure the smoke alarms in your home are maintained and working properly:
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button, and make sure everyone in your home knows their sound.
- If an alarm “chirps,” warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
- Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they’re ten years old or sooner if they do not respond properly when tested.
Berkeley County and City of Martinsburg residents with questions and/or concerns about the updated smoke alarm requirements may contact your local fire department. If a resident is in need of assistance with obtaining or installing a smoke detector/alarm, the local fire departments can help. Please contact them using the list below. They can also visit NFPA’s Web site at www.nfpa.org/smokealarms for more information.
Berkeley County Fire Department 304.263.1345
Martinsburg Fire Department 304.264.2111
South Berkeley Volunteer Fire Department 304.229.5377
Hedgesville Volunteer Fire Department 304.754.3662
Bedington Volunteer Fire Department 304.274.2381
Back Creek Valley Volunteer Fire Department 304.229.8992
Baker Heights Volunteer Fire Department 304.263.7755
Only WORKING smoke alarms/detectors can SAVE LIVES.