- Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home, including your basement. Place them near sleeping areas, and inside each bedroom.
- Smoke rises, so be sure to install smoke alarms high on walls or ceilings. Ceiling-mounted alarms should be at least 4 inches away from the nearest wall; wall-mounted alarms should be installed 4 to 12 inches away from the ceiling.
- Look for smoke alarms that are connected to each other, either by wire or by wireless signal, so when one alarm sounds, the others do too.
- Use long-life smoke alarms with lithium-powered batteries and hush buttons. Smoke alarms with 10-year batteries and a sprinkler system provide the most protection if a fire should start.