Why do I need a smoke alarm?

According to the United States Fire Administration, approximately 4,000 Americans die in home fires every year. Over half of these deaths occur between the hours of 10 pm and 7 am, when residents are typically sleeping. Smoke and toxic gases from a home fire are as deadly as heat and flames. Just two or three breaths of toxic smoke can render you unconscious. The majority of fire victims die or are injured from exposure to smoke and toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide, not actual burns. In addition, smoke obscures vision, decreasing your ability to escape.

Smoke alarms save lives, prevent injuries, and minimize property damage by detecting fires early and alerting residents, allowing crucial time to escape. The risk of dying from a fire in a home without working smoke alarms is twice as high as in a home that has working smoke alarms.

Show All Answers

1. Why do I need a smoke alarm?
2. How do they work?
3. Where in my home should I install them?
4. What powers a smoke alarm?
5. How much do they cost?
6. Where can I purchase them?