Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives - Don't Stay Home Without One!

• Working smoke alarms can cut the chance of dying in a home fire nearly in half.  They provide the extra "critical time" for safe escape.

• Most home fires occur at night when people are sleeping.

• Working smoke alarms alert residents while there is still time to get out alive.  How much time do you think you have to escape?  Watch the following 3 minute video to learn more.

"No Time To Spare Video"

• You are required, by law, to have at least one working smoke alarm outside each sleeping area in your home.

• To assist residents in need, we have an "Alarmed & Ready" program that supplies smoke alarms to residents who do not have the ways and means to purchase one themselves.  For more information on this program please call 490-5530.

  Slide Show - "Smoke Alarms ... Who Needs 'em? 

Can You Hear Your Smoke Alarms At Night?

• It is strongly recommended that you have your smoke alarms tested/you test your smoke alarms, at night when you/your family are sleeping.  Testing will let you know whether or not you/your family will hear your smoke alarms when sleeping.  You can't escape if you're not awake!

• According to the July 2007 study, "Waking Effectiveness of Alarms for Adults Who are Hard of Hearing," the typical audible signal used by smoke alarms failed to wake up 43 percent of tested subjects with mild to moderately severe hearing loss despite the fact that all were able to hear the 3100 Hz tone when awake. 

• Free on-line Hearing Test.

Will Your Children Or Grandchildren Hear Your Smoke Alarms At Night?

• Children are among those most at risk of sleeping through home smoke alarms.

• You must plan and practice your Fire Escape Plan.

• Will your children hear your smoke alarms? 

NFPA Journal - August 2003 - Research Is Needed To Determine Why Children Are Sleeping Through Smoke Alarms, by Shelly Reese

Learn More ...

Watch this eye-opening video to Learn More ...

  WCCO-TV Dimension Series Video      

Children Hearing Smoke Alarms When Sleeping

Installing Your Smoke Alarms

• Smoke alarms either run on batteries, or are wired directly into your home's electrical system.

• You can easily install battery-powered smoke alarms following the manufacturers instructions.

• A qualified electrician should install units that use your home's electrical system.  These alarms should be equipped with a battery as backup in case of Power Outages.

• Install smoke alarms on the ceiling at least 4" inches from the wall.  Smoke alarms installed in stairwells should be placed directly above the top step.

• No matter which model you have, carefully follow the manufacturers instructions on installing, testing and maintenance.

Where Should You Put Your Smoke Alarms?

• Outside every sleeping area and on every level of the home.  Don't forget to install a detector at the bottom of the basement stairs.

• If you sleep with the bedroom door closed (recommended), install a smoke alarm inside the bedroom.

• For extra protection, install alarms in the dining room, living room, utility room and in hallways.

Choosing Your Smoke Alarms

• Not all fires are the same.  A flaming fire devours combustibles quickly, spreads rapidly and generates considerable heat with little smoke.

Ionization Smoke Alarms respond first to fast flaming fires.

A smoldering fire generates large amounts of thick, black smoke with little heat and may smolder for hours before bursting into flames.

Photo Electronic Smoke Alarms respond first to slow smoldering fires and are less prone to nuisance alarms in the kitchen area.

• Combination Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms are also available.

Check Your Smoke Alarms Regularly!

• Test your smoke alarms every month.  Do this by pressing and holding the test button for a few seconds.  The alarm should sound immediately. 

• We recommend that the batteries in smoke alarms be changed twice a year.  Change Your Clock - Change Your Battery!

• Sign up for a reminder to change your batteries.

Learn More . . .

• A beeping smoke alarm needs attention.  It may need the battery replaced and/or may need cleaning.

Clean your smoke alarms twice a year by removing the cover and carefully wiping it with a damp cloth.  Gently vacuum the sensor unit inside.

Replace the cover and test the smoke alarm to make sure it is working properly.

If it doesn't stop beeping - replace the unit.

Plan & Practice An Escape route In Case Of Fire

The shrill whine of a smoke alarm can be frightening, especially in the middle of the night.

To avoid panic and confusion cause by fear - plan and practice a fire escape route with your family.

Choose two exits from every room.

Once you escape, stay out of the building!

Choose a safe place to gather in case of fire.

Call 911 from a cell phone or neighbors house.

Learn More . . .