Working smoke alarms save lives, cutting the risk of dying in a home fire in half. Smoke alarms should be installed and maintained in every home.

Installation
Smoke alarms should be installed in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement. Larger homes may require additional smoke alarms to provide a minimum level of protection.

For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.

Wireless battery-operated interconnected smoke alarms are now available. An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires, and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection or where extra time is needed to awaken or assist others, both types of alarms or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms, also known as dual sensor smoke alarms, are recommended.

Choose a smoke alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Smoke alarms should be installed away from the kitchen to prevent false alarms. Generally, they should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from a cooking appliance. A smoke alarm installed between 10 and 20 feet (3 and 6 meters) of a cooking appliance must be a photoelectric type or have a hush feature, which temporarily reduces the sensitivity of the alarm.

Testing and Maintenance
Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button. Make sure everyone in the home understands the warning of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.

To keep smoke alarms working well, follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning. The instructions are included in the package, or can be found on the internet.

People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Smoke alarms and alert devices, called accessories, are available for people who are deaf. Strobe lights throughout the home are activated by smoke alarms and alert people who are deaf to fire conditions. When people who are deaf are asleep, a high intensity strobe light is required along with a pillow or bed shaker to wake them up and alert them to fire conditions so they can escape. Currently this equipment is activated by the sound of a standard smoke alarm. Smoke alarm alert devices, called accessories, are available for people who are hard of hearing. These accessories produce a loud, mixed low-pitched sound. This equipment is activated by the sound of the smoke alarm and is usually installed next to the bed. People who are deaf may find that a pillow or bed shaker is also helpful to wake them up.

Recent research has shown that a loud, mixed low-pitched sound is more effective for waking people of all ages than the loud high-pitched sound of a traditional smoke alarm. As people age, their ability to hear high-pitched sounds decreases. Choose smoke alarms and accessories for people who are deaf that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Research the available products and select one that best meets your individual needs.

Battery Replacement
Smoke alarms with non-replaceable (long-life) batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.

For smoke alarms with any other type of battery, replace batteries at least once a year. If that alarm chirps, replace only the battery.

Smoke Alarm Replacement Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old. Immediately replace any smoke alarm that does not respond properly when tested. Combination sensor smoke/carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced per manufacturer's recommendations.

Rental Units
All rental units need working smoke alarms.

If you rent and do not have working smoke alarms, contact your landlord or property manager immediately to have them installed.

If, after you have contacted your landlord or property manager, smoke alarms remain uninstalled, contact the Saco Fire Department.

Advise your landlord or property manager if the smoke alarms are not working.

The battery or the entire unit must be replaced.

Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.

Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound and understands the warning of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.

Dust or vacuum smoke alarms annually and/or whenever the battery is changed. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning.