North Shelby Fire District in partnership with the American Red Cross is offering free 9-volt smoke alarm batteries as well as free installation of smoke alarms for the elderly. Most homes have smoke alarms installed but we have found that many of these smoke alarms are not in working order. Smoke alarms may not work for a variety of reasons, but normally, this is due to having no battery installed, a dead battery or from the alarm being outdated. Smoke alarm batteries should be replaced every year and the smoke alarm itself should be replaced every 10 years.