Smoke detectors are an integral part of keeping families safe from fires. They are required in every home. Unfortunately, some families cannot afford to change the batteries in their detectors or don’t know how often batteries need to be changed. Your family can help!

Here’s what you’re doing:

Protect families from potentially fatal fires by collecting smoke detector batteries for donation.

 Here’s what you need:

• Paper and markers for posters
• Boxes to collect donations

 Here’s how you do it!

1. Check with your local fire department to see if they would like your family to collect 9-volt batteries for them to distribute to people in town. Some fire departments distribute batteries during Fire Prevention Week. Or, check if your Social Services department would like your family to collect batteries for their clients.
2. Take a family vote on how you will collect the batteries—either asking families to donate them or raising funds to buy the batteries, or:
3. Ask a local store if you can set up a table outside of their store with your Battery Collection Box.
4. Make your posters and flyers explaining what you are doing and why.
5. Post the poster and flyers a week before your collection. Keep some for the day of your collection.
6. Collect the batteries and donate!

Interesting fact:

Smoke detector batteries need to be changed twice a year.

Reflection Questions:

1. How did our project help people?
2. What did our family learn?
3. How are we helping them?
4. What might be tough or challenging about our project?
5. What are everyone’s jobs during the project? What do we each have to do?