Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work for You

A Message Provided by the Public Safety Advisory Board
 

When the smoke alarm sounds: GET OUTSIDE AND STAY OUTSIDE!    Go to your outside meeting place.  CALL 9-1-1 from a mobile phone or a trusted neighbor’s phone.  Stay outside until the fire department tells you it is safe to go back inside.

You could have as little as two minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds.  Working smoke alarms give you early warnings so you can get out quickly.

INSTALLATION:

  • Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area  (like a hallway) and on each level of the home.
  • When installing, follow the instructions that come with the smoke alarm.
  • For the bast protection, interconnect all smoke alarms.  It is important to have interconnected smoke alarms if you sleep with the bedroom doors closed.
  • A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall.

HOW TO CHOOSE AN ALARM

It is important to purchase a smoke alarm that is listed by a qualified testing laboratory.  The two most common types of smoke alarms are ionization and photoelectric alarms.

  • For the best protection, or where extra time is needed to wake up or help others, both types of alarms, or dual sensor ionization-photoelectric alarms are recommended.
  • An ionization smoke alarm is more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric alarm is more responsive to smoldering fires.
  • Photoelectric alarms are the best types of alarms to be installed near the kitchen and bathroom to reduce nuisance alarms.

TESTING AND MAINTENANCE:

  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning to keep smoke alarms working.

REPLACEMENT:

  • Smoke alarms with non-replaceable (long-life) batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years.  If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the unit right away
  • For smoke alarms that do not have non-replaceable (long-life) batteries, replace batteries at least once a year.  If the alarm chirps, replace only the battery.