City of Wilmington News and Information

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Wilmington Fire Department To Distribute Free Smoke Detectors on Saturday, October 31 as part of “Wake Up Delaware”

Free Diabetes Screenings also offered at select Fire Stations

This Saturday, October 31, the Wilmington Fire Department will join the Delaware Volunteer Fireman’s Association in conducting a statewide fire safety and prevention campaign entitled “Wake Up Delaware,” during which smoke detectors will be distributed by fire companies throughout the State. In Wilmington, free smoke detectors and batteries will be available on a first-come, first-served basis from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at any City Fire Station.

The six Wilmington Fire Department station locations are:

Saturday’s event also coincides with “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery” day. Most residential fires resulting in death or injury occur in homes that do not have working smoke detectors present; therefore, residents who already have smoke detectors installed in their homes are urged to change their detector batteries when setting back their clocks one hour this Saturday night in observance of the return to daylight standard time.

“SOUNDING THE ALARM ON DIABETES”

This Saturday the Wilmington Fire Department will also team up with the Delaware Pharmacists Society to provide free Diabetes screenings at select Wilmington Fire Stations.

Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because tell-tale symptoms such as frequent urination, excessive thirst and extreme hunger can seem so harmless. Diabetes, however, can result in very serious health complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, nerve damage, kidney damage, foot problems and skin disorders. In Delaware, an estimated 17,000 people suffer from diabetes but have not been diagnosed.

The best way to manage diabetes is through early intervention, which starts with a free screening at one of the following Fire Stations:

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