Need a smoke alarm? Not sure yours works? Here’s what to do

It’s that time of the year where fire departments remind people to check and make sure their smoke alarms still work.

If you don’t have a smoke alarm or aren’t sure yours still works properly, most fire departments will happily do a home visit to check.

The Spokane and Spokane Valley fire departments both have programs to give out free smoke alarms, which a firefighter can install.

Spokane Assistant Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer said the program is intended for low-income people, but there are no screening criteria.

“It’s an honor system. If somebody calls and says that they need one, they need one,” he said. Firefighters also check smoke alarms when they go on medical calls to private homes.

“If they need a new one or the battery’s bad, we install them right then and there,” Schaeffer said.

In Spokane Valley, residents can request a home inspection, which includes inspection of heating sources, fireplaces, exit routes and carbon monoxide detectors. If new smoke alarms are needed, firefighters will install them during the visit.

Both departments have special strobe light detectors for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The Coeur d’Alene fire department has grant funding to give out alarms to low-income and elderly people, and will also change batteries in alarms on request.

For more information or to get a smoke alarm:

• In Spokane, call (509) 625-7000 to request a free alarm or inspection
• In Spokane Valley, call (509) 892-4153 or fill out this form to request a home visit
• In Coeur d’Alene, call (208) 769-2340