The  United  States  Fire  Administration  would  like  to 
WHAT IF THE ALARM GOES 
remind you of some important fire safety and prevention 
OFF WHILE I’M COOKING?
information:
Smoke 
Then  it’s  doing  its  job.    Do  not  disable  your   v v              Plan and practice escape plans several times a year.
smoke alarm if it alarms due to cooking or other 
v v              Make sure your whole family knows when and how to 
non-i  re causes.  You may not remember to put 
   call emergency telephone numbers.
the  batteries  back  in  the  alarm  after  cooking.   
Alarms
Instead, clear the air by waving a towel near the 
alarm, leaving the batteries in place.  The alarm 
What You Need To Know
may have to be moved to a new location.
HOW LONG WILL MY
SMOKE ALARM LAST?
About  8  to  10  years,  after  which  time  they 
should be replaced.  Like most electrical devices, 
smoke alarms wear out.  You may want to write 
the purchase date with a marker on the inside of 
your unit.  That way, you’ll know when to replace 
it.  Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions 
for replacement.
ANYTHING ELSE
I SHOULD KNOW?
Some smoke alarms are considered to be “hard 
wired.”  This means they are connected to the 
household electrical system and may or may not 
have battery backup.  It’s important to test every 
smoke alarm monthly and replace the batteries 
with new ones at least once a year.
For more information or copies of this publication, 
please contact:
Federal Emergency Management Agency
U.S. Fire Administration
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727
800-561-3356
www.usfa.fema.gov
FA-250/May 2003

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PROTECT YOURSELF AND   WHY SHOULD MY HOME   ARE SMOKE ALARMS
YOUR FAMILY TODAY  HAVE SMOKE ALARMS?  HARD TO INSTALL?
In  the  event  of  a  i  re,  properly  installed  and   In the event of a i  re, a smoke alarm can save   Not a bit.  In most cases, all you will need is a 
maintained smoke alarms will provide an early   your life and those of your loved ones.  They are   screwdriver.  Many brands are self-adhesive and 
warning alarm to your household.  This alarm   the single most important means of preventing   will  automatically  stick  to  the  wall  or  ceiling 
could save your own life and those of your loved   house and apartment i  re fatalities by providing   where  they  are  placed.    However,  be  sure  to 
ones by providing the chance to escape.  an  early  warning  signal--so  you  and  your   follow  the  directions  from  the  manufacturer 
family can escape.  Smoke alarms are the best   because  each  brand  is  different.    If  you  are 
safety devices you can buy and install to protect   uncomfortable  standing  on  a  ladder,  ask  a 
Your Smoke Alarm Quiz
yourself, your family, and your home from i  re.  relative or friend for help.  Some i  re departments 
The Smoke Alarms in My Home:
actually will install a smoke alarm in your home 
Y N are installed on every level, especially near   for you.  Call your local i  re department (again, 
OKAY, WHERE
    sleeping areas?  on a nonemergency telephone number) if you 
have problems installing a smoke alarm.
DO I PUT  THEM?
Y N are tested once a month?
Install  smoke  alarms  on  every  level  of  your 
Y N have their batteries replaced with new ones 
home, including the basement.  Many fatal i  res   HOW DO I KEEP MY
    at least once a year?
begin late at night or in the early morning.  For 
SMOKE  ALARM  WORKING?
Y N are vacuumed over and kept free of dust?  extra safety, install smoke alarms both inside and 
outside sleeping areas.  Smoke alarms are very easy to take care of.  There 
Y N have  their  batteries  replaced  and  are 
are two steps to remember:
    retested,  should  they  start  making  a   Also, smoke alarms should be installed on the 
    “chirping” noise?  ceiling or above eye level on the walls.  Since   1. Simply  replace  the  batteries  at  least  once  a 
smoke  and  many  deadly  gases  rise,  installing   year.  Tip: Pick a holiday or your birthday and 
Y N are replaced with new smoke alarms every 
your  smoke  alarms  at  the  proper  level  will   replace the batteries each year on that day.  Some 
    10 years?
provide you with the earliest warning possible.     smoke alarms now on the market come with a 
Always  follow  the  manufacturer’s  installation   10-year battery.  These alarms are designed to be 
Did you answer “NO” to any of the questions?
instructions.  replaced as a whole unit, thus avoiding the need 
If so, keep reading to learn the answers to the 
for battery replacement.  If your smoke alarm 
most common questions about lifesaving smoke 
starts  making  a  “chirping”  noise,  replace  the 
alarms.
WHERE  WOULD I
batteries and retest it.
GET SMOKE ALARMS?
2. Keep them clean.  Dust and debris can interfere 
with their operation, so vacuum over and around 
Many  hardware,  home  supply,  or  general 
your smoke alarm regularly.
merchandise  stores  carry  smoke  alarms.    If 
you  are  unsure  where  to  buy  one  in  your 
community, call your local i  re department (on 
a nonemergency telephone number) and they 
will provide you with some suggestions.  Some 
i  re departments offer smoke alarms for little or 
no cost.

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