Smoke Alarms
How many smoke alarms do I need?
- Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home (including the basement and attic) and outside each sleeping area. If you sleep with the door closed, install smoke alarms inside the room. In new homes, smoke alarms are required in all sleeping rooms, according to the National Fire Alarm Code.
- Ensure that all members of your family can hear the smoke alarm. If someone is hearing impaired, install alarms that flash a strobe light, as well as sound an alarm.
Safety Tips
- While smoke alarms alert people to fires, families still need to develop and practice home fire escape plans so that they can get out quickly.
- Because smoke rises, alarms should be mounted high on walls or ceilings. Wall-mounted alarms should be positioned four to 12 inches from the ceiling; ceiling-mounted alarms should be positioned four inches away from the nearest wall. On vaulted ceilings, be sure to mount the alarm at the highest point of the ceiling.
- Smoke alarms should not be installed near a window, door or forced-air register where drafts could interfere with their operation.
- Be sure that the smoke alarm you buy carries the label of an independent testing lab.
- A qualified electrician should install alarms that are hard-wired to the home's electrical system.
Maintain your smoke alarm
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month, by using the alarm's "test button," and clean the units in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
- Clean smoke alarms using a vacuum cleaner without removing the alarm's cover.
- Install new batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year, for example, on the day you change your clocks or when the alarm chirps (warning that the battery is dying).
- Replace all smoke alarm batteries immediately upon moving into a new home.
- Keep batteries in smoke alarms; do not borrow them for other purposes. Nuisance activations can be addressed by moving an alarm farther away from kitchen smoke or bathroom steam and by more frequent cleaning. If the problem persists, replace the alarm.
- Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
Mobile Fire-Rescue encourages all Mobile residents to practice fire safety steps every day to keep those home fires safely burning. Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility and fire prevention precautions DO make a difference! The Mobile Fire-Rescue Department offers home fire safety inspections at no cost. Citizens can call (251) 208-7351 to set up an appointment.
