Eureka Fire Protection District teams again will visit an area of the district to check smoke detectors on March 10 for the 25th annual community service day. This year, Eureka SAR, Eureka C.E.R.T. and Eureka Police Department representatives also will assist firefighters in this life-saving effort.

Firefighters and team members will go door-to-door on certain streets in the district to ask homeowners if their smoke detectors are working. Deputy Chief Randy Gabel said firefighters will ask to come in to check and inspect detectors. "If a new battery is needed, one will be installed. If the home does not have a working smoke detector, a new one will be installed for free," said Gabel.

Gabel said smoke detectors were donated by Tech Electronics, Fire Master, and The Bibb Agency - Allstate Insurance. All batteries were donated by Energizer.

This year, the following neighborhoods and streets will be visited:  Shaws Garden and Fairway Estates.

Gabel said to date they have visited more than 2,217 homes, installed 403 smoke alarms and given out 837 batteries. Smoke detector check-up days are conducted twice each year to coincide with day light savings time.

"Remember on Saturday Night, March 10, when you change your clock, please change your battery, too," said Gabel.

He said batteries can be obtained for smoke detectors at any of the Eureka Fire Protection District fire stations. For addresses of the three stations, click here to see the district's directory listing on Eureka-Wildwood Patch.

The Eureka Fire Protection District services the communities of Eureka, Wildwood, Allenton, Hoene Springs, Crescent, Southwest St. Louis County, and Northern Jefferson County. The district was named 1999 Missouri Fire Department of the Year.

See previously articles:

• Smoke Detectors' Team Coming Saturday
• Annual Smoke Detector Day Helps