Working smoke alarms alert people to fire and give them time to escape in a situation where minutes can mean the difference between life and death. The City of Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau encourages everyone to consider the following:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. For added safety, install smoke alarms both inside and outside the sleeping area. This is particularly important if you sleep with bedroom doors shut as is recommended to prevent spread of smoke and fire.
• Like most electrical devices, smoke alarms wear out. Therefore, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends replacing unit after ten years. Smoke alarms now have labels where you should write the purchase date for future reference. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for replacement.
• Make sure you buy only those alarms that bear the mark of an independent testing laboratory. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now suggests using smoke alarms with lithium-powered batteries and a "hush button." A lithium-powered battery lasts up to 10 years, and a hush button allows you to quickly stop nuisance alarms that are caused by such things as steam or cooking.
• Smoke alarms should be installed on the ceiling or 6 to 8 inches below the ceiling on side walls. Since smoke and many deadly gases rise, installing your smoke alarms at the proper level will provide you with the earliest warning possible. Always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.
• Smoke alarms need to be cleaned. Make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions about cleaning. Cobwebs and dust usually can be removed with a vacuum cleaner attachment. Make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions about cleaning. Regular cleaning may help prevent or stop "nuisance" or false alarms.
• Never disable your smoke alarm if it alarms due to cooking or other non-fire causes. You may not remember to put the batteries back in the alarm. Instead, clear the air by waving a towel near the alarm, leaving the batteries in place. Cooking vapors and steam can set off a smoke alarm. If the alarm is near the kitchen or bathroom, try moving it farther away. However, if this doesn't stop them, install a fresh battery in the alarms giving nuisance alarms. If nuisance alarms continue, install a new smoke alarm. In addition, smoke alarms are now available with "hush buttons that will temporarily silence the alarm.
• If your smoke alarms are battery operated, replace their batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions. The NFPA recommends doing this at least once a year or sooner if the alarm "chirps," indicating that the battery power is low. (A useful tip to help you remember: when you change your clocks to standard time in the fall, change the battery.) Some smoke alarms are considered to be "hard wired." This means they are connected to the household electrical system and may or may not have battery back-up. If there is a back-up battery, be sure to replace it annually as well.