INSTALLATION - DO's

Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, family room, basement, & garage.

Mount the alarms  on ceilings or high on walls. Ceiling mounted alarms should be at least 4" away from the nearest wall. Wall mounted alarms should be installed 4" to 12" from the ceiling.

If you have a pitched ceiling, install the alarm near the ceiling's highest point.

DO NOT's

	DO NOT install smoke alarms near windows, doors or ducts where drafts might interfere with their operation.
	DO NOT install smoke alarms in kitchens.
	Do not paint your smoke alarms. Paint, stickers or other decorations could keep them from working properly.
	If you own a newer home, chances are your smoke alarm is "hard-wired". It operates on your household electrical current. When one smoke alarm activates, every alarm in the house will activate.

TESTING

Test your smoke alarms at least once a month.

	Replace the batteries once a year, or as soon as it "chirps", warning that the battery is low. Ex. change every daylight saving.
	Never "borrow" a battery from a smoke alarm.
	Do not disable smoke alarms, even temporarily - you may forget to replace the battery. If your smoke alarm is sounding "nuisance" alarms, it may need cleaning or vacuuming. If that doesn't work, try relocating it further away from kitchens and bathrooms where cooking fumes and steam can cause the alarm to sound.
	Regular vacuuming or dusting your smoke alarms following manufacturer's instructions can keep them working properly.
	Smoke alarms do not last forever. Replace alarms every 10 years.
	Ensure that everyone in the home will awake and identify a sounding smoke alarm.
	Plan regular fire drills (twice a year) to ensure that everyone knows what to do when the smoke alarm sounds.
	Hold a drill at night to make sure sleeping family members awaken to the sounding alarm.