Working smoke alarms save lives and minimize the risk of fatalities in a home fire by half. Smoke alarms should be installed and maintained in every home.
1. Installation
Smoke alarms should be installed in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping room, and on every level of the home. It is recommended that all smoke alarms in the home be interconnected so that when one sounds, they all sound.
2. Testing, maintenance
Smoke alarms should be tested at least once a month and cleaning instructions should be carefully followed to keep smoke alarms in good working order.
3. Battery replacement
Smoke alarms with non replaceable (long life) batteries are designed to last for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm immediately.
For smoke alarms that don’t have long life batteries, replace batteries at least once a year or when alarm begins to chirp.
4. Alarm replacement
All smoke alarms should be replaced when they are 10 years old. If a smoke alarm does not respond after a new battery has been installed, replace the smoke alarm immediately.
