Smoke detectors are often the first line of defense against residential fire fatalities, and they more than double your chance of surviving a fire. We have responded to countless incidents in Apex where smoke detectors enabled occupants to evacuate the residence and contact emegency services quickly, giving us a greater chance of saving lives and property.

In addition to having smoke detectors, you should create an evacuation plan for your family. Know your exit options, and for multi-story dwellings, have a fire escape ladder or some other means to get out safely in the event that the stairwell is inaccessible. Have a prearranged assembly area for your family so that you can quickly account for everyone. Especially for those households with children, PRACTICE these drills so that everyone will know what to do in the event of an emergency!

INSTALLATION

• Smoke detectors should be located on each level of a residence, including the basement, and must be audible from behind closed bedroom doors.
• To avoid false alarms, place detectors away from heater / air conditioner vents, bathrooms (steam can cause an activation), cooking areas and fireplaces.
• Detectors mounted on the wall should be 6" - 12" from the ceiling. Those mounted on the ceiling should be at least 6" away from the wall. This ensures that there is adequate flow to enable the detector to activate under smoke conditions.

MAINTENANCE
Remember, smoke detectors can't help us if they are not kept in working condition! ALWAYS FOLLOW MANUFACTURERS' RECOMMENDATIONS!

• Inspect and test each detector once per month. Make sure they are free of dust and critters.
• Change the batteries twice a year. A good way to remember this is to change your smoke detector batteries when you adjust your clocks for Daylight Savings Time.

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