Smoke Alarms — The Sound for Safety

Having enough smoke alarms — and keeping them in working condition — are important fire safety steps you can take to save lives in your home. Alarms can alert you and your family to danger before the smoke and heat harm you.

Removing smoke alarm batteries to prevent nuisance alarms is a common practice, but it can be deadly. Dead, missing or disconnected batteries are the most common cause of smoke alarm failures.

To ensure adequate protection, select models that are listed with Underwriters Laboratories (UL). If a family member may have trouble hearing an alarm, purchase one that uses flashing lights or vibrations to signal an emergency.

Remember: Smoke alarms can save lives only if they are properly installed and maintained.

Install Alarms in the Right Place Maintain Alarms Properly Install Alarms in the Right Place Be sure everyone in the house is familiar with the sound of the smoke alarm and can hear it from the bedrooms. This is especially important because more than half of home fire deaths occur between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., when most people are sleeping and more likely to be overcome by smoke before they can escape. Place smoke alarms outside each sleeping area, inside any bedroom where the door is typically shut, and on every story of the house, including the basement. Install wall-mounted smoke alarms 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling, and ceiling-mounted models at least 4 inches from the nearest wall.

"I did have smoke alarms, but I had taken out the batteries a week before because I had fried some bacon and it kept setting them off. Then, in the middle of the night…I got up. I got to the living room and it was all in flames." Shirley Carnal, fire survivor

Maintain Alarms Properly

Smoke alarms work in a fire only if they are properly maintained:

• Test units monthly.
• Install new batteries once a year, such as on the day you change your clocks for daylight savings time, or when the low-battery warning alarm sounds.
• Clean your smoke alarms regularly by vacuuming with the brush attachment.
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years to achieve optimum performance.