The MAJORITY of fatal fires take place when people are sleeping and when most of the human senses are inactive. Contrary to popular belief the smell of smoke may not wake you and poisonous gases and smoke can damper your senses, therefore household smoke detectors sound an alarm to wake you up during a fire.  By sounding an early warning, smoke detectors drastically cut your risk of injury or death in a home fire.  Smoke detectors save so many lives that they are required in all homes in nearly all communities.  You should also know that 80 percent of all fire deaths take place in residences not equipped with working smoke detectors, creating a need for maintenance and a routine testing schedule insuring proper operation.
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WHERE TO INSTALL
In the main hall leading to sleeping areas
At the top of stairways
In every bedroom
One on every floor of your house, including the basement. They should be installed so when one sounds, they all do.  This is how new homes and their smoke detectors work.  An older home can not be retrofitted without contacting an electrician.

Generally, wall units should be mounted so the top of the detector is 4-12” below the ceiling, or according to manufactures instructions

A ceiling mounted detector should be 12” away from the closest wall.

MAINTENANCE
ONLY A WORKING SMOKE DETECTOR CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE
Do not take out your smoke detector’s batteries to run another item
Test your smoke detector monthly and replace the old batteries twice a year with new ones.  An easy schedule to remember is “changing your batteries when you change your clock time for daylight savings.
Periodically vacuum your detector while you leave the cover in place, to remove dust and debris.
Always follow manufactures guidelines for use and maintenance
If your smoke detector is older than ten years it needs to be replaced

Smoke Alarm Program
It is the goal of CJCFPD that every constituent of our response area have a working smoke detector in their home.  CJCFPD demonstrates this commitment by providing at least one smoke detector to anyone who cannot afford one. The resident is responsible for keeping the smoke detector in a working state.  Also if a person is physically unable to change a battery or mount the smoke detector your CJC personnel will do it for you.

If you or someone you know lives within our District and they do not have a working smoke detector contact CJC Fire Prevention Bureau at (816) 229-2522 or stop by any CJC fire station for assistance.