Smoke Alarms Save Lives

Working smoke alarms provide early warning when a fire occurs, giving you and your family valuable time to get outside safely. Having properly installed and maintained smoke alarms throughout your home is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from fire.

Learn the Sounds of Your Smoke Alarm

Knowing what your smoke alarm is telling you can help you respond quickly and safely.

• Three loud, continuous beeps: Smoke or fire has been detected. Get outside immediately, call 9-1-1, and stay outside.
• A single chirp every 30 to 60 seconds: The battery may be low and needs to be replaced.
• Continued chirping after replacing the battery: The alarm may have reached the end of its life and need to be replaced.
• Smoke alarms should generally be replaced every 10 years: Check the date on the back of your alarm and follow the manufacturer's replacement recommendations.

Make Sure Everyone Can Be Alerted

Smoke alarms should meet the needs of everyone in your household, including people who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have other sensory or physical disabilities. Specialized alarms and alert devices, including strobe lights and bed shakers, are available to help ensure everyone receives an early warning.

Test. Maintain. Replace.

Test your smoke alarms regularly and make sure they are clean, working, and properly maintained. Never disable a smoke alarm or remove its battery because of nuisance alarms.

A working smoke alarm can provide the early warning you need to escape a fire safely.