Smoke alarms save lives. Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. If there is a fire in your home, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out.
Here is what you need to know.
(1) A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home.
(2) Smoke alarms should be interconnected when they are directly wired in the house. When one sounds, they all sound. Battery operated ones sound off individually.
(3) Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
(4) Test your smoke alarm at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
(5) There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use both types of alarms in the home.
(6) When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.
(7) Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years, and remember to change you batteries in your smoke alarm when you set your clocks back in the fall and again when you set your clocks ahead in the spring.
