The sound that can save a life.

Residential Smoke Detectors

General Information

The White River Township Fire Department encourages all families to protect their homes with properly installed and maintained smoke detectors—especially in homes with children.

Many children can sleep through traditional high-pitched alarms. Vocal smoke alarms help solve this problem by allowing parents to record a personalized message using their child’s name. Hearing a familiar voice gives children a stronger chance of waking quickly in an emergency.

Features of Vocal Smoke Alarms

KidSmart™ Vocal Smoke Alarms include:

  • 🔊 Standard alarm tone

  • 🎤 Custom-recorded voice message

  • 💡 Illuminated light ring for visibility

  • 🔘 Fire drill practice button

  • 🔥 Photoelectric sensor for slow, smoldering fires

These features make children up to three times more likely to respond during an emergency.

Parents can record instructions such as:

  • “Get out of the house now”

  • “Do not open a hot door”

  • “Stay low under smoke”

Purchasing Information

WRTFD offers a limited number of vocal smoke alarms at a reduced cost.

Cost: $20.00 each
Location: Fire Department Headquarters
850 South Mullinix Road
Greenwood, IN

Hours:
Monday–Friday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

📞 For questions, call 317-888-8337 and ask for the Public Safety Division.

Installation Locations

Proper placement is critical to ensure smoke alarms can wake sleeping occupants.

Recommended Locations

Install smoke detectors:

✔ In every sleeping room
✔ In hallways within 5 feet of bedroom doors
✔ Near the top of stairways (for multi-level homes)
✔ In each separate sleeping area

If your home has multiple sleeping areas on different levels, install detectors in each area and each bedroom.

Avoid These Locations

Do not install detectors:

✖ Within 6 inches of corners or ceiling joints
✖ Near heating or cooling vents
✖ In areas with heavy airflow or dust

These locations can prevent smoke from reaching the detector and may cause false alarms.

Maintenance & Battery Care

Smoke detectors require minimal maintenance but must be checked regularly.

Best Practices

  • ✅ Test alarms monthly

  • ✅ Replace batteries yearly

  • ✅ Replace batteries immediately when chirping

  • ✅ Keep spare batteries on hand

Neglected detectors may fail during a fire—putting lives and property at risk.

Hardwired & Battery Backup

If your home uses only hardwired smoke detectors, WRTFD recommends:

  • Adding battery-operated detectors, or

  • Upgrading to combination electric/battery units

Battery-operated detectors are available at Fire Headquarters on Morgantown Road.

Need Help?

The Public Safety Division is available to assist with placement and installation.

📞 317-888-8337

Our team is happy to help ensure your home is properly protected.