Smoke Alarm Safety Tips Smoke alarms save lives. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or non-working smoke alarms. When there is a fire, smoke spreads quickly and smoke alarms alert you to get out. Safety Tips •Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10 years old or sooner if they do not respond properly. •Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. If possible, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound. •Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button. •Smoke rises; install smoke alarms following manufacturer's instructions high on a wall or on a ceiling. Save and refer to manufacturer's instructions for testing and maintenance. •Be sure the smoke alarm has the label of a recognized testing laboratory. •Alarms that are hard-wired (and include battery backup) must be initially installed by a qualified electrician. •If cooking fumes or steam sets off nuisance alarms, replace the alarm with an alarm that has a "hush" button. A "hush" button will reduce the alarm’s sensitivity for a short period of time. •Smoke alarms that include a recordable voice announcement in addition to the usual alarm sound, may be helpful in waking children through the use of a familiar voice. •Smoke alarms are available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These devices use strobe lights. Vibration devices can be added to these alarms. •Smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan.