Is a smoke detector really necessary in your home? Absolutely! Smoke detectors are proven lifesavers. More fatal fires occur at night when people are sleeping. Fire produces toxic gases which can numb your senses and prevent you from reacting to a fire in your home.

Installation

• Install a smoke detector on each level of your home.
• The detector should be centrally located between the bedrooms.
• Place smoke detectors in each bedroom.
• If you or someone in your home is deaf or hard of hearing, consider installing an alarm that combines flashing lights, vibration and/or sound.
• Mount smoke alarms high on walls or ceilings (remember, smoke rises). Ceiling-mounted alarms should be installed at least 4 inches away from the nearest wall; wall-mounted alarms should be installed 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling.
• If you have pitched ceilings, install the alarm near the ceiling's highest point.
• Don't install smoke alarms near windows, doors or ducts where drafts might interfere with operation.

Test and Maintain

• Test detectors once a month.
• Detectors should not be painted.
• Most units should be vacuumed once a year to remove cobwebs and dust that may impair a detector's sensitivity.
• Never paint smoke alarms. Paint, stickers or other decorations could keep the alarms from working.
• Smoke alarms don't last forever. They should be replaced every 10 years. California law requires the new alarm you buy to have a 10-year, sealed battery.

Replace Batteries Semiannually

• Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery.
• Whenever you change your clocks to or from daylight saving time, you should also change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

What to Do if Your Alarm Sounds

• Don't try to fight the fire yourself.
• Get out of the house as quickly as possible.
• Call 9-1-1 as soon as you are out of the house.

What to Do if Your Detector Makes a Chirping Sound

• A chirping sound usually indicates a low battery. Replace the battery.

The information provided is a guideline only. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to install, test and clean the detector.

Download our free smoke alarm tip sheet. (PDF)