Smoke detectors are relatively inexpensive. The Faribault Fire Department recommends that you install smoke detectors on every level of your home, including one in every bedroom and one outside sleeping areas. Bedroom doors should be kept closed while sleeping. The doors and walls of your home provide an excellent fire and smoke barrier to protect you in the event of a fire. When possible remember to close doors to prevent fire and smoke from entering the room.
Smoke detectors become ineffective after ten years.
If your smoke detectors are ten years old or older, it is time to have them replaced. Although nearly 92 percent of American homes have smoke alarms, nearly one-third don't work because of worn or missing batteries. The Faribault Fire Department recommends that you replace batteries in battery operated smoke alarms twice a year. A good way to remember this is during daylight savings time. When you change your clock remember to change the batteries in your smoke detector.