Smoke Alarms

A working smoke alarm cuts in half your risk of dying in a residential fire. Experts estimate you have as little as two minutes to safely escape your home once the smoke alarm sounds.

Follow these guidelines for smoke alarms:

• Install them in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
• Interconnect your home's smoke alarms so they all ring when one is triggered
• Place alarms on the ceiling. If alarms are placed on the wall, they must be no more than 12 inches below the ceiling.
• Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries every year.
• Replace smoke detectors after ten years.

Teach children the sound of the smoke alarm and how to exit the home/building when it sounds. Visit escape planning for additional information.