Old Town businesses offer free smoke detectors

Manassas City residents who need a smoke detector for their homes can visit one of seven shops in Old Town Manassas or contact the City of Manassas Fire and Rescue Department at 703-257-8458 or send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Prospero’s Books, Ashby Jewelers, Ratcliffe Insurance, Whimsical Gallerie, Opera House Gourmet and Fulton Bank have received boxes of smoke detectors to give to their customers who need one. 

Prince William Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop located on Center Street has also received several boxes of smoke detectors to give away to customers.

City Fire Marshal Francis J. Teevan said the Department was able to purchase more than 600 smoke detectors to help support this program, thanks to a grant from the Factory Mutual Insurance Company.

Teevan said, “Having a smoke alarm is the first key step towards your family’s safety.  A smoke alarm stands guard around the clock and, when it first senses smoke, it sounds a shrill alarm.  This often allows a family the precious but limited time it takes to escape.”

Chief Brett R. Bowman of the City of Manassas Fire and Rescue Department shares this advice with residents,  “A working smoke alarm can help you and your family escape a deadly home fire.  It can also help save the lives of firefighters who would otherwise have to risk their lives by searching a burning home for residents.  A working smoke alarm continuously scans the air for smoke, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  It never sleeps.  I encourage everyone to practice fire safety and do your part to get out, before firefighters have to come in.” 

Bowman reminded all city residents to take time to test their home smoke alarms and replace the batteries.