Ankeny Fire Department to Give Away Smoke Alarm Batteries

From a Ankeny Fire Department media release:

Even though over 95 percent of homes have smoke alarms, many of them do not work because they have a missing or dead battery. In an effort to keep Ankeny residents safe, the Ankeny Fire Department is distributing 200 9-volt batteries for smoke alarms.

The batteries are provided courtesy of the Iowa State Fire Marshal's Office as part of the Smoke Alarm Battery Replacement Program.

Batteries can be picked up at fire station headquarters, 120 N.W. Ash Dr. between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday until Oct. 30. Any remaining batteries will be offered to families by fire department personnel who will be visiting local neighborhoods during Beggar's Night on Oct. 30.

Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. According to the NFPA, having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a fire in half.