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For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms.

Paint, stickers, or other decorations could keep the alarms from working.

Don't install smoke alarms near windows, doors, or ducts where drafts might interfere with their operation.

If you have ceilings that are pitched, install the alarm within 3 feet of the peak but not within the apex of the peak (four inches down from the peak).

Wall-mounted alarms should be installed not more than 12 inches away from the ceiling (to the top of the alarm).

Mount smoke alarms high on walls or ceilings (remember, smoke rises).

Smoke alarms should be installed at least 10 feet (3 meters) from a cooking appliance to minimize false alarms when cooking.Smoke alarms installed in the basement should be installed on the ceiling at the bottom of the stairs leading to the next level.On levels without bedrooms, install alarms in the living room (or den or family room) or near the stairway to the upper level, or in both locations.Install smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.Choose smoke alarms that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.If you need assistance in obtaining a smoke alarm for your residence, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign may be able to help! Installing smoke alarms

Homeowners and enforcement authorities should recognize that detection needs have changed over the years and take proactive steps make sure that every home has a sufficient complement of smoke alarms. (Additional smoke alarms are required for larger homes.) Homes built to earlier standards often don’t meet these minimum requirements. For many years NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, has required as a minimum that smoke alarms be installed inside every sleep room (even for existing homes) in addition to requiring them outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.

Because of this, having a sufficient number of properly located smoke alarms is essential to maximize the amount of available escape time. Fire research has demonstrated that with today’s modern furnishings, fires can spread much more rapidly than in the past when more natural materials were used. It’s important to have enough smoke alarms in your home.

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