Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are vital for protecting your home and family. They provide precious early warnings in the event of a fire or CO leak, giving you valuable time to escape and call for help.

• Save lives: Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms can cut the chance of dying in a reported fire in half.
• Early detection is key: Smoke spreads quickly, and you may not be able to smell smoke while you're sleeping. A loud alarm can wake you up and give you time to evacuate safely.
• Important statistics: Nearly two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms.

Here's what you need to know about smoke alarms:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including outside each sleeping area.
•  Test your smoke alarms monthly and replace the batteries every year. Better yet, purchase 10-year battery, tamper proof, smoke detectors to install in your home.
• Interconnect your smoke alarms so that if one sounds, they all sound. This will ensure everyone in the home hears the alarm, regardless of their location.
• Never disable your smoke alarms.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms:

• CO is known as the "silent killer" because it's odorless and colorless. You can't see it or smell it, but it can be deadly.
• CO alarms can detect the presence of CO and alert you to the danger before it's too late.
• CO poisoning symptoms can include headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. If you experience any of these symptoms, evacuate your home immediately and call 911.

Here's what you need to know about CO alarms:

• Install CO alarms outside each sleeping area on every level of your home, including the basement.
•  Test your CO alarms monthly and replace the batteries every year.
•  Consider purchasing CO alarms with a digital display that shows the CO level in your home.

Additional Tips

• Teach your children what the smoke and carbon monoxide detector alarms sound like and how to evacuate your home safely.
• Practice your home fire escape plan regularly.
• Replace your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms every 10 years.

Additional Resources

National Fire Prevention Association - What Kind of Smoke Alarms Should I buy?

National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) - Carbon Monoxide Alarm Information