MONTAGUE — Free smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are available to residents whose homes were built before 1975 or with smoke alarms 10 years or older.
The Turners Falls and Montague Center Fire Departments are working with the American Red Cross to install the free smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors townwide for the fourth year.
“Montague is made of two fire districts and we’re combining efforts and teaming up for this townwide event,” said Kyle Cogswell, a captain on the Turners Falls Fire Department. “We’re still finding homes with fire alarms 15 to 20 years old, which is unacceptable — you’re asking for trouble.”
He said one of the things the firefighters tell residents is that after five to seven years, people get their money’s worth from their fire alarm.
“After 10 years, the fire alarm has to be replaced, you can find the manufacture date on the fire alarm by turning the alarm a quarter-turn and pull down,” Cogswell said.
He said he also recommends people change the batteries on fire alarms, regardless of age, every two years.
Carbon monoxide detectors are also required by law and can be installed as part of the event, Cogswell said.
The installation will be held on Sept. 29. Firefighters will be working in their respective fire districts for the installations.
To schedule time to get a detector installed, regardless of fire district, call the Turners Falls Fire Department at 413-863-9023. Appointments must be made by Saturday, Sept. 22.
“If anyone ever has any questions about fire alarms or carbon monoxide detectors, feel free to call the station and a firefighter will try to help you,” Cogswell said.