Safety reminder - VPSD will change batteries in smoke detectors for free!!!
 

Just in case some new residents don't know about the program, The Villages Public Safety Department offers smoke detector assistance to residents of The Villages. They will come to your house and they will change the batteries in their smoke detectors.

There is no charge for this service. But you have to provide brand new nine-volt batteries or detectors required before calling for assistance.

Appointments are for same-day service and are on a first come first serve basis.
The Villages Public Safety Department employees will arrive at your home in uniform, with a visible name badge. They will also have a ladder with them.

As we get older, we should avoid ladders as much as possible!

Public Safety Smoke Detector Program

Thanks for sharing this

Since 2010 we have had the pleasure of VPSD changing batteries in our 10’ ceilings. Always polite, respectful, with the reminder that the ladders may leave a smudge, but never did on any of the walls in our 3 homes. Always had homemade treats if they chose to enjoy, as a thank you

Maybe with all the complaining about our fire/EMT increases, this might be a way for the department to save some money, or perhaps a nominal charge to offset the cost of this service.

I like the "for free" part...who do you think is actually paying for these services...I really don't think they are asking for volunteers from the fire department to go out and do this on their own time!

You are paying for the service. There are no volunteers. Personally, I think they should eliminate the free service. If you can't get on a ladder, hire a handyman like you would for anything else.

Note that the link recommends replacing smoke detectors batteries every year. This advice is outdated and a waste of money. AlkaIine batteries will last about 5 years and lithium batteries will last up to 10 years. The battery is only used as a backup in the event your house power fails. The smoke detector is designed to beep when the battery level is low and it needs to be replaced. So, it is not necessary to replace your smoke alarm batteries every year. It does not improve safety, but it does waste taxpayer money.

Which of you have looked into the budget to see how much this service costs? I have and from what I can find there are $0 budgeted for this.

Are the firefighters working for free when they are in your home replacing batteries? Of course not, but that doesn't mean the service costs you any additional dollars.

Do you believe fires are not being extinguished or EMS service are not being provided while they are replacing batteries?
Do you believe maintenance or training is being neglected while they are replacing batteries?
Do you believe manning would be reduced if this service was not provided?

Of course not. This service is provided on a time-available basis by the staff that is regularly on duty. There is no extra cost to the department for providing this service. Rather than wasting taxpayer dollars or costing the department money, this is a way to personally get some return on the taxes you have already paid.

We should be grateful for the Department for providing this service, not criticizing them for providing this benefit to the community.

:BigApplause::BigApplause::BigApplause:

The only cost as far as I can see is some amount of gas to go to peoples houses. :BigApplause:

The same is true in almost all locales in the country. They get especially busy during Fire Prevention week (early Oct) and when the time changes occur. Be nice and avoid those times.

They like cookies, pizza and grocery store gift cards 🤪

I just read some of the replies. Many have a misconception of what a FD does.

They don’t sit around waiting for calls. They train daily, keep apparatus ready, perform community service, visit schools and social groups, and a host of other services like inspections.

The cost is part of the overall budget, usually in a line item like education or community service - they’re on duty and fit in detector issues between other obligations.

Better they change batteries than respond to a house fire since the occupants didn’t have working detectors, which happens. Often.

They don’t just change batteries, will also install new detectors, which expire at 10 years. I’m sure many homes in TV have expired detectors. Get a combo smoke & CO2.

Hopefully there is a program in place to provide the equipment to those in need and can’t afford to purchase. In TV that would be a small %, in nearby localities many more.


Be thankful this service is available.

Recently retired after 30 yr with an FD in another state. Learn about the complete host of services provided, then say thank you.

keep using those old outdated smoke detectors with new batteries... we replaced all the detectors and installed a Nest smoke & carbon monoxide Detector.. Didn't use the " Free"
Service...

I’m sure it fits under their Fire Prevention Program. But it truly fits under injury prevention also. The Fire Department gets to choose when and which resources to designate to changing out batteries. Those same resources may or may not be immediately available when someone falls off that ladder when they try to change the batteries themselves.
It’s a great program and probably saves us all something in the long run.

Bill, thank you for saying this!