Smoke Alarms are a very important peice of equipment for your home.  Early detection of fire or smoke will save lives.  Six out of Ten residential fire deaths occured in homes without smoke detectors.  94% of US homes have a smoke detector, but one third of those alarms are not working properly.  Working smoke alarms in your home will cut your chance of dying in half. 

Placement Of Detectors is Critical

• Smoke detectors should be installed either on the ceiling, four to twelve inches from the wall, or high on a wall, four to twelve inches from the ceiling.

• At least one smoke detector should be on everly floor of your house, and withing 15 feet of sleeping areas

• Do not intsall smoke detectors in the kitchen, garage, or bathroom.   Cooking fumes, steam or other particles can create false alarms.

Care and Cleaning for Your Detector

• Dust can cause false alarms.  Use a vacuum cleaner attachment to remove dust and cobwebs from the smoke detector

• If painting near a smoke detector, use a shield to keep paint out of the unit

Monthly Smoke Detector Checks

• Push the button, with a broom if need be to reach unit.  If you do not hear the alarm, change the battery.  If you still do not hear the alarm after changing the battery, then replace the entire unit.

• Replace batteries at least twice a year or when you hear the low battery "chirp".  If you move into a new home, put fresh batteries in all the smoke detectors.

• Never take the battery out of the smoke alarm for another use.

• If fumes or steam cause the smoke detector to activate do not remove the battery fan the fumes away until alarm resets.

• Replace your smoke detectors every seven to ten years.  Write installation date inside the alarm's cover.