The upcoming end of Daylight Savings Time on November 2nd is an opportune time to check and maintain your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The checking and maintaining of these units takes just a few minutes. These few minutes can mean the difference between life and death for you and your family.

Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are an intricate part of home fire safety. These units work 24 hours a day to protect you and your family, but they will only work properly if maintained properly. They should be vacuumed every time you change your clocks at the beginning and end of Daylight Savings Time to help prevent false activations. The batteries should also be changed at least once a year. You should also note the date the unit was manufactured every time you maintain the units. If the units are 8-10 years old they should be replaced with new units.

For more information on smoke detectors and changing your smoke detector batteries you can view this webpage from the National Fire Protection Agency:

http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/fire-and-safety-equipment/smoke-alarms

For more information on the dangers of carbon monoxide you can visit:

http://www.carbonmonoxidekills.com

The Willingboro Fire Department provides free smoke detectors to the residents of Willingboro. We have a number of smoke detectors that you can install yourself, or we will install them in your home for you. There are several ways that you can receive free smoke detectors:

1. Stop by or call Fire Headquarters at JFK and Charleston Road, (609) 871-7476. You can pick them up for self installation or schedule an appointment for us to install them for you.

2. Stop by our display at any township event and pick them up for self installation or schedule an appointment for us to install them for you.

3. Click on the request link at the bottom of the "Smoke Detector" page in the "Public" section of our website. Complete the form and someone will contact you so that you can pick them up at Fire Headquarters or to schedule an appointment for us to install them for you.