·  Only purchase smoke alarms that are listed by UL and carry the UL mark on packaging.

·  Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. Make sure there is an alarm near every sleeping area.

·  The Home Safety Council recommends installing additional smoke alarms inside all bedrooms.For the best detection and notification protection, install both ionization- and photoelectric-type smoke alarms. Some models provide dual coverage. The type will be printed on the box or package.

·  Smoke rises, so smoke alarms should be mounted high on walls or ceilings. Ceiling mounted alarms should be installed at least four inches away from the nearest wall; wall-mounted alarms should be installed four to 12 inches away from the ceiling.

·  Choose an installation location that is well away from the path of steam from bathrooms and cooking vapors from the kitchen, which can result in false, or nuisance alarms.

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

·  Test each smoke alarm every month. Push the test button until you hear a loud noise.

·  Put new batteries in your smoke alarms at least twice each year.

·  The Home Safety Council recommends using interconnected smoke alarms. These are available with wireless connection and hard-wired with battery back-up. These alarms are tied in together so that if one alarm operates, they all signal together. Some models provide dual coverage (both ionization and photoelectric sensing technology).

·  If your smoke alarms are more than 5 years old, get new smoke alarms.