Working smoke detectors can cut the chance of dying in a home fire nearly in half by providing the extra time that is critical for safe escape.
Most home fires occur at night when people are sleeping.
A working smoke detector will sound an alarm while there is still time to get out alive. AFD recommends replacing smoke detector batteries at least once a year, even if they appear to be working fine. That's because when the detectors start 'chirping' to indicate that the batteries need to be replaced, most people will disconnect the detector to stop the noise, not having another battery on hand. Replacing batteries when the time changes is an easy way to remember that important task. The Austin Fire Department advises having at least one smoke detector on each level of your home, in each bedroom, and in the hallways adjacent to any sleeping areas.