Facts: Most fatal fires occur between 12 midnight and 8 a.m. with fatalities occurring when residents breathe in the poison gases and smoke created from fires. Smoke alarms can give the occupants early warning of a fire which can be the difference between life and death.

Installation Locations of Smoke Alarms

• One should be installed on every level of your home or residence.
• Install a smoke alarm in every bedroom in your home and in hallways near sleeping areas and storage areas.+
• Remember to follow the user’s manual which is included with your smoke alarm.
• Smoke rises, so smoke alarms should be mounted high on walls or ceilings. Ceiling mounted should be installed at least 4 inches from the nearest wall and wall mounted should be installed 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling.

Locations to Avoid Placement

• Choose a location away from the path of steam from bathrooms and also away from the kitchen area which can have alarms activated by cooking vapors.
• Don’t install smoke alarms near windows, doors, ceiling fans, or ducts where drafts might interfere with their operation.

General Smoke Alarm Information

• Only purchase smoke alarms that are listed by UL and have the UL mark on the packaging.
• Test all smoke alarms in your residence at least once a month following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Fresh batteries should be installed at least once per year or if your alarm is making a chirping noise which means it needs a new battery.
• Keep your smoke alarm clean and never paint a smoke alarm
• Remember to replace your smoke alarms every ten years or if you find it to be not operating correctly.
• Make sure that everyone in your house knows what your smoke alarm sounds like and that everyone knows how to exit the home safely when the alarm sounds.