A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you're awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert, scanning the air for fire and smoke. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. Many fatal fires begin late at night or early in the morning. Because it's easy to forget about batteries in smoke detectors, it's become something of a national institution in America to replace the batteries twice a year, when we switch to and from Daylight Savings Time.

Smoke Detector Q & A:

What types of smoke alarms can I buy? show answer +hide answer -

There are many brands of smoke alarms on the market, but they fall under two basic types: ionization and photoelectric.

Ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms detect different types of fires. Since no one can predict what type of fire might start in their home, the USFA recommends that every home and place where people sleep have:

• Both ionization AND photoelectric smoke alarms. OR

• Dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.

There are also alarms for people with hearing loss. These alarms may have strobe lights that flash and/or vibrate to alert those who are unable to hear standard smoke alarms when they sound.

What powers a smoke alarm? show answer +hide answer -

Smoke alarms are powered by battery or by your home's electrical system. If the smoke alarm is powered by battery, it runs on either a disposable nine-volt battery or a non-replaceable 10-year lithium (“long-life”) battery. Alarms that get power from your home's electrical system, or “hardwired,” usually have a back-up battery that will need to be replaced once a year.

Are smoke alarms expensive? show answer +hide answer -

Smoke alarms are not expensive and are worth the lives they can help save.

Alarm type and cost

• Ionization and photoelectric: $6 and up

• Dual sensor: $24 and up

• Smoke alarms with a microprocessor (faster to alert, fewer false alarms): $30 and up

• Radio frequency/wireless (communicate from one to the next without wires: $40 and up)

Your city, county or state may require a specific type of alarm. Please check with your local fire marshal for information on what type of alarm you need.

Some fire departments offer reduced-price, or even free, smoke alarms. Contact your local fire department's non-emergency phone number for more information.

Where do I put smoke alarms in my home? show answer +hide answer -

• Put smoke alarms on every floor of your home. Also, in every bedroom and in the hallway outside of each sleeping area.

• Choose smoke alarms that communicate with each other, so that if one alarm sounds they all will.

• Place smoke alarms on the ceiling or high on the wall. Check the manufacturer's instructions for the best place for your alarm.

• Only qualified electricians should install hardwired smoke alarms.

Some fire departments will install battery-operated smoke alarms in your home at no cost. Contact your local fire department’s non-emergency phone number for more information.

How do I take care of my smoke alarm? show answer +hide answer -

Is your smoke alarm still working? A smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all. A smoke alarm only works when it is properly installed and regularly tested. Take care of your smoke alarms according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Below are some general maintenance tips.

Smoke alarm powered by a nine-volt battery / AA batteries

• Test the alarm monthly.

• Replace the batteries at least once every year.

• Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years.

Smoke alarm powered by a 10-year lithium (or “long-life”) battery

• Test the alarm monthly.

• Since you cannot (and should not) replace the lithium battery, replace the entire smoke alarm according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Smoke alarm that is hardwired into your home's electrical system

• Test the alarm monthly.

• Replace the backup battery at least once every year.

• Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years.

What do I do if my smoke alarm sounds while I'm cooking? show answer +hide answer -

Never take the battery out of your smoke alarm while cooking! If a smoke alarm sounds while you're cooking or taking a shower with lots of steam, do not remove the battery. You should:

• Open a window or door and press the “hush” button.

• Wave a towel at the alarm to clear the air.

• Move the entire alarm several feet away from the kitchen or bathroom.

Disabling a smoke alarm or removing the battery can be a deadly mistake.