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CHAMBERSBURG
FIRE DEPARTMENT

Smoke/CO Alarms

Smoke Alarms Save Lives

Working smoke alarms are one of the most effective ways to protect you and your family from the dangers of fire. A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm provides an early warning, giving you precious extra minutes to escape safely. Statistics show that the majority of fatal home fires occur in homes without working smoke alarms, making them an essential part of every household’s safety plan.

Installation and Maintenance

Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. Once installed, it’s important to test alarms monthly by pressing the test button and to replace batteries at least once a year, unless you have a sealed 10-year battery unit. Even hardwired alarms require testing and regular checks. Remember, smoke alarms don’t last forever—replace all units at least every 10 years, or sooner if they fail to respond properly during testing.

Protecting Your Family

A smoke alarm is only effective if everyone in the household knows what to do when it sounds. Take time to create and practice a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room and a designated meeting place outside. Talk with children about what the alarm means and reassure them it’s a signal to get out quickly and safely. By combining working smoke alarms with a practiced escape plan, you greatly increase your family’s chance of surviving a fire.