Smoke Alarms

Installing smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of a home - including the basement - is a fire safety precaution that all homeowners need to take to protect their families from fire.

Smoke Alarm Safety Tips:

  • Put smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Put alarms on every level of the home.
  • Make sure your smoke alarms work. Your family is not safe if they can't hear the smoke alarms.
  • Test smoke alarms every month and replace 9-volt smoke alarm batteries at least once every year.
  • Smoke alarms do not last forever. Get new smoke alarms every 10 years.
  • When you hear a smoke alarm, you may have less than 2 minutes to get everyone outside and safe.
  • Choose interconnected smoke alarms so that when one sounds, they all sound.
  • Dual-sensor smoke alarms contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors, which means they can detect both smoke and heat.
  • Put smoke alarms on the ceiling or high on the wall. Check the manufacturer's instructions for the best place for your alarm.