Safety Tips - Smoke Detectors | Avondale Professional Firefighters Association Local 3924

Most home fire fatalities occur at night while people are asleep. The majority of house fire related deaths are attributed to toxic gas and smoke inhalation rather than the actual fire itself. By installing and maintaining smoke detectors in your home, you and your family's chances for survival increase by 50%. Here are some tips for installing and maintaining smoke detectors:

For the minimum protection, install a smoke detector outside each sleeping area.
For homes with more than one level, install a smoke detector on every level of your home.

For maximum protection, install a smoke detector in each bedroom, on every level of your home, and in every living area.
Mount the smoke detectors in the middle of the ceiling, at the highest point.
If mounting on the wall, place them at least 3 feet from any corner and 4 to 6 inches from the ceiling.
Do not install smoke detectors near heating or cooling ducts.
Test your smoke detectors once a month.

Replace the batteries in smoke detectors every year. It is easiest to remember if you pick a holiday to replace the batteries. Smoke detectors that make a chirping sound may indicate that the battery needs to be replaced. Replace the battery immediately.
If your smoke detector sounds while you are cooking, it's just doing its job. Do not disable the detector because you may not remember to re-enable it later. It is better to clear the air by opening windows and vents and clearing the air around the smoke detector. You may want to replace the smoke detector that sounds often from cooking with one with a silence button feature. Ionization type detectors may be better replaced with photoelectric detectors since they are less affected by cooking smoke or steam particles.
Replace your smoke detectors every five to ten years.
Vacuum the outside cover periodically to remove loose dust particles.
If you live in Avondale, call the Avondale Fire-Rescue at 623-478-3170 if you are having difficulty installing your smoke detectors. We will try to assist you in any way we can.