Free Smoke Alarm Hotline  (757) 926-8009

The Newport News Fire Department will install, at no cost, free ionization smoke alarms for Newport News homeowners upon request.  Landlords are responsible for supplying and installing smoke alarms for their tenants.  Smoke alarms reduce property loss, injuries and death.  The alarms are equipped with long life batteries which last the lifetime of the alarm; generally 8 to 10 years. Weekly testing is recommended to ensure the alarm works.  The manufacturer's instructions contain additional information on maintaining your smoke alarm.  Ionization type smoke alarms are quicker when a flaming, fast moving fire occurs.   The other type of smoke alarm is the Photoelectric alarm which is quicker at sensing smoldering, smoky fires.   There are also combination smoke alarms that combine ionization and photoelectric into one unit, called dual sensor smoke alarms.  It is recommended to have the installation of both ionization and photoelectric alarms since you do not know what type of fire will start in a home. 

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends a smoke alarm be placed on every level of your home, including the basement, making sure that there is an alarm outside every separate sleeping area.

If you need a smoke alarm installed, tested, or replaced, call our hotline number and leave your contact information.  You can also apply by using the online form. 

You can find more information on smoke alarms,  Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors, fire escape planning, and emergency preparedness at http://www.usfa.fema.gov  and www.nfpa.org.