Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.

A working smoke alarm doubles your chances of surviving a fire. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths are in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms — usually because batteries are dead, disconnected or missing.

Safety Tips

  • Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home, including the basement.
  • Smoke alarms should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 metres) from the stove.
  • Test all smoke alarms every month by pushing the test button.
  • Change smoke alarm batteries every year, or purchase smoke alarms with a sealed 10-year battery.
  • Hardwired smoke alarms require a battery backup in case of power outage.
  • It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound.
  • People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
  • Replace all smoke alarms when they are ten years old.

Place one smoke alarm on
every floor and outside each
sleeping room

Smoke detector showing expiration date has passed

A Working Smoke Alarm in Every Home

As part of the Fire Chiefs’ Association of BC’s goal to achieve a working smoke alarm in every home, we are available to assist residents who may have difficulty checking, installing, or maintaining their smoke alarms.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, please contact us.