The Official Site of New Kent Fire-Rescue

Smoke Detectors

New Kent Fire-Rescue is pleased to provide each home in the County with a working smoke detector. This program is funded by a grant made possible by the State of Virginia’s “Get Alarmed Virginia!” initiative. The goal of this program is to increase the number of homes in the state with working smoke detectors. This program, since 1998, has already saved the lives of 117 men, women, and children, and has prevented the loss of millions of dollars worth of property.

CLICK HERE for a printable Smoke Alarms Safety Tips Sheet published by the NFPA.

Did you know?

• The death rate per 100 reported fires was twice as high in homes without a working smoke alarm as it was in home fires with this protection.
• The U.S. has the highest incident rate of home fires in the world, with one fire being reported every minute across the nation.
• In 2008, there were 1,451,500 fires in the U.S., which resulted in 3,320 deaths and 16,705 injuries.
• Home fires were responsible for 80 percent of those deaths and 79 percent of those injuries.
• Almost all U.S. homes have a smoke detector, but 63 percent of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes without WORKING smoke alarms!
• The absolute best way to keep you and your family safe at home from fire is to have at least one working smoke detector, but preferably to have more than one especially in heavily partitioned homes.

Contact the New Kent Fire-Rescue Life Safety Division in order to obtain a free smoke detector if you don’t have one in your home. The Fire-Rescue Department will even install it for you if needed!