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Smoke Alarm Safety

Illustration of a house cross-section showing recommended smoke alarm placement—near bedrooms and on each level, including basement.
A PSA advising to test smoke alarms monthly, with a graphic of a finger pressing a test button.
replace your alarms after 10 years
Infographic about where to place smoke detectors when sleeping with door closed
An illustration promoting fire alarm awareness, showing an alarm, sound waves, an ear, and informational text.
A smoke alarm illustration with text urging to have working smoke alarms on each home level, in bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas.
Illustration of a house cross-section showing recommended smoke alarm placement—near bedrooms and on each level, including basement.
A PSA advising to test smoke alarms monthly, with a graphic of a finger pressing a test button.
replace your alarms after 10 years
Infographic about where to place smoke detectors when sleeping with door closed
An illustration promoting fire alarm awareness, showing an alarm, sound waves, an ear, and informational text.
A smoke alarm illustration with text urging to have working smoke alarms on each home level, in bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas.

Smoke alarms are essential for your home. Three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms  (National Fire Protection Association).

For smoke alarms to be effective, they must be in operating order. Test your smoke alarms each month. Make sure the batteries work. Replace smoke alarms about every 10 years. Smoke alarms are not expensive and are worth the lives they can help save. The Minoa Fire Department will install detectors for you, for free.

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 of both types of alarms in the home.

Smoke Alarm Safety

When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.

  • 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.
  • Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound.
  • Large homes need extra smoke alarms.

Source for Content:  U.S. Fire Administration and National Fire Protection Association