Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need smoke alarms?
Smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger.
In the event of fire, you may have as little as 2 minutes to escape safely, which is why smoke alarms need to be in every bedroom/sleeping area, outside of the sleeping areas (like a hallway), and on each level of the home (including the basement). Do not put smoke alarms in your kitchen or bathrooms.
Where do I put smoke alarms in my home?
- Install smoke alarms inside and outside every bedroom and sleeping area (like a hallway).
- Install on every level of the home, including the basement.
- A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall.
- Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce nuisance, or false, alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
- Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the best place for your alarm.
- Only qualified electricians should install hardwired smoke alarms.
How do I take care of my smoke alarms?
Test your smoke alarms once every month. Just push the test button once to make sure you hear the loud beep, beep, beep sound. That means it’s working. If it doesn’t sound, then change its battery or, if the unit is over 10 years old, replace the entire unit.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning to keep smoke alarms working properly. Cleaning instructions are included in the package or can be found on the internet.
What are the sounds coming from my smoke alarm(s) ?
- A continued set of three loud beeps—beep, beep, beep—means smoke or fire. Get out, call 9-1-1, and stay out.
- A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed.
- All smoke alarms must be replaced 10 years after its manufacturing date.
- Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced.
Learn the sounds of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms by checking the user guide or search the brand and model online.
What type of smoke alarms can I buy?
Choose an alarm that is listed with a nationally recognized testing laboratory, meaning it has met certain standards for protection. Whether you select a unit that requires yearly changing of batteries, or a 10-year unit that you change out at the end of the 10 years, either will provide protection.
There are many brands of smoke alarms, but they fall under two basic types: ionization and photoelectric.
Ionization alarms are more responsive to flaming fires, and photoelectric alarms are more responsive to smoldering fires. Photoelectric smoke alarms are the best type of alarms to be installed near the kitchen and bathrooms to reduce nuisance alarms.
For the best protection, use combination smoke alarms that are interconnected throughout the home. These can be installed by a qualified electrician, so that when one sounds, they all sound. This ensures you can hear the alarm no matter where in your home the alarm originates.
New multi-criteria smoke alarm technology will state “helps reduce cooking nuisance alarms” on the packaging. Consider using new multi-criteria alarms when it is time to replace existing photoelectric or ionization alarms.
What if someone in my home is deaf or hard of hearing?
There are smoke alarms and alert devices that alert people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These devices include strobe lights that flash to alert people when the smoke alarm sounds. Pillow or bed shakers designed to work with your smoke alarm also can be purchased and installed.
These work by shaking the pillow or bed when the smoke alarm sounds. These products can be found online and in stores that sell smoke and CO alarms.
Make sure to choose smoke alarms and accessories for people who are deaf or hard of hearing that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory. It’s also good practice to sleep with your mobile phone and your hearing aids or implants close to your bed.
What is the difference in a smoke detector and a smoke alarm?
There is a difference between a smoke “detector” and a smoke “alarm”.
A smoke detector is just a sensor that monitors for smoke and is connected to a whole building fire alarm system.
A smoke alarm has both the sensor to monitor for smoke and the speaker that makes the sound to notify the home occupants. When referring to the devices found in most homes, smoke alarms is the correct term to use.