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Smoke alarms

 

NFPA Safety Tips

  Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home.
  Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
  Test smoke alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
  See all safety tips


Chris Dubay   AUDIO
Chris Dubay, NFPA Vice President of Codes & Standards, talks about smoke alarms:
  What are the different kinds of smoke alarms?
  What kind of smoke alarm does NFPA suggest?
  The most important message about smoke alarms.

Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. Having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half..

Smoke alarm basics
Sharon Gamache, NFPA Director of High-Risk Outreach Programs, talks about basic smoke alarm safety tips. Watch larger format.

Facts & figures

  • A 2008 survey found that 96% of U.S. households had at least one smoke alarm, yet in 2003-2006, no smoke alarms were present or none operated in two out of the five (41%) of the reported home fires.
  • Almost two-thirds of reported home fire deaths in 2003-2006 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
  • When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected or dead.

Source: NFPA's " Smoke Alarms in U.S. Home Fires", by Marty Ahrens, September 2009.

Also see: Fact sheet on smoke alarm types, nuisance alarms, and more (PDF, 650 KB)
Also see: Fact sheet on smoke alarms in reported U.S. home fires  (PDF, 94 KB)

NFPA does not test, label or approve any products.
Updated: 9/09


In this Section:
 
Smoke alarm safety tips
What you need to know about smoke alarms.
Ionization vs. photoelectric
NFPA recommends using both technologies in the home.
Keeping Your Community Safe and Sound
This tool kit on smoke alarms includes everything you’ll need to motivate residents to install and maintain smoke alarms in the home. 
Reports and statistics
NFPA reports and other research on smoke alarms.
Installation and maintenance tips
Where to place your alarms and how to keep them working.
Children and smoke alarms
Parents should ensure smoke alarms can awaken children.
URL: http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=278&URL=Research%20&%20Reports/Fact%20sheets/Fire%20protection%20equipment/Smoke%20alarms&cookie%5Ftest=1