[December 20, 2013]

Take The Time To Replace Smoke Alarm Batteries

American Strategic Insurance (ASI) knows the importance of having all homes with working smoke alarms. Because the issue is so important, ASI started an annual battery campaign more than 15 years ago that shows the company's commitment to the safety of its policyholders. Each year, ASI mails 9-volt batteries, along with a safety reminder to replace the batteries in the smoke detectors, to its policyholders.

According to the U.S Fire Administration, a working smoke alarm cuts the risk of dying in a home fire by nearly 50 percent. Both the National Fire Protection Association and U.S. Fire Administration say that smoke detectors should be "installed inside every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement."

By sending the batteries, ASI reminds homeowners that a functioning smoke detector can help prevent injury or death in residential fires. Over the years, the company has received testimonials from policyholders thanking the organizatio for sending the batteries. The working smoke alarms warned the policyholders of a fire and allowed them to escape safely.

For those who own smoke alarms powered by a 9-volt battery, the U.S. Fire Administration offers the following maintenance guidelines:

• Test each alarm monthly.
• Replace batteries at least once a year.
• The entire smoke detector unit should be replaced every eight to 10 years.

Beginning this month, packages with the batteries and copies of the safety reminder will start showing up in policyholders' mailboxes. For the eighth year, PARC (the Pinellas Association of Retarded Children), a nonprofit organization that serves more than 800 people with development disabilities, is assisting ASI with the project.

ASI has mailed more than 6 million batteries since starting the project. If you would like to learn more about the campaign, e-mail Marketing at [email protected].

About American Strategic Insurance

ASI was started in August 1997 and sells homeowners insurance in 24 states and the District of Columbia. It has almost $1 billion in written premiums and more than $500 million in policyholder surplus. For more information about the company, visit www.AmericanStrategic.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20131220006048/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]