Smoke alarms should be an important part of your home and you must be diligent when installing and testing them so that your family will be alerted to any possible dangers of fire.

Remember to purchase only Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed equipment. This information will be listed on the package.

Every level of your home should be protected with smoke alarms, including the basement. Also confirm that there is an alarm near every bedroom.

Always mount the alarms high on the walls or on the ceiling remembering that smoke rises.

Do not install near bathroom doors or cooking area as smoke will cause frequent false alarms.

Do not place smoke alarms near windows or doors where drafts might interfere with their performance.

Push the test button each month to be sure that all alarms in your home are in good working order.

Install new batteries at least annually. It is a good idea to associate this chore with a particular time of year (such as when the clocks are changed) so you will not forget.

If you have smoke alarms that are more than ten years old, replace them for the safety of your family.

Following the above guidelines should insure that your family will be well protected and warned if a fire should occur in your home.