KENNEWICK, Wash.
Changing out the batteries in a smoke detector isn't the easiest task, and that's why the Kennewick Fire Department is offering to help.
Starting on Thursday, firefighters will be stopping by the homes of senior and disabled citizens to change the batteries in their smoke detectors.
Kennewick Fire Captain Joe Terpenning says a working smoke detector helps residents get away from the blaze quickly..
"Anybody that's burnt toast in the kitchen, you realize you don't even really see the smoke but the detector goes off, so there's plenty of time to evacuate the building and that's really what we want to make sure is that they have that time frame and that they're able to escape," he said.
The firefighters say they also enjoy meeting with people on a non-emergency basis and are often even met with milk and cookies at the homes.
