• According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), while 94 percent of American homes have smoke alarms, one-third of these alarms have dead, missing, or disconnected batteries.

• NFPA reports that half of the nation's fire deaths occur in the six percent of homes that do not have smoke alarms.

• Most fires occur between the hours of 2 and 6 am when people are sleeping. The only warning of a fire in your home may be the smoke alarm.

What kind of smoke alarm should I get?

There are two basic types of smoke alarms:

Photoelectric: designed to detect smoldering, slow burning fires

Ionization: designed to detect flaming, fast burning fires

Both types are equally effective and neither requires you to be familiar with the inner workings of the deveice. However, please be sure to purchase smoke detectors approved by a major testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories, Inc (UL).

Where should I install my smoke alarms?

At least one smoke alarm is needed on each floor, however, one in every room is highly recommended. Smoke alarms should be able to be heard in bedrooms. Smoke alarms are best placed on ceilings since smoke rises. However, if the ceiling is below an uninsulated attic or in a mobile home, the alarm should be mounted on the wall six inches below the ceiling.

How should I maintain my smoke alarm?

• Replace batteries every six months and/or when a "chirping" sound is heard.
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
• Test and clean your smoke alarm monthly.
• It is advisable to vacuum your smoke detector twice a year to remove any cooking grease or dust.
• Do not remove smoke alarm batteries in nuissance situations or borrow batteries for other devices. Consider buying smoke alarms with a "hush" feature instead.

Howard County citizens that are in need of smoke alarms but cannot afford them can obtain free smoke alarms by contacting:

Howard County Fire & Rescue
Office of the Fire Marshal
6751 Columbia Gateway Drive
Columbia, MD 21046
410-313-6040