Choosing Smoke Detectors: Ionization or photoelectric? Each describes the way in which they detect minute amounts of airborne smoke. Battery-powered detectors will operate for about 1 year or 12 months, most will give you an audible warming that the old battery needs replacement: many prefer battery-powered because they are easy to install and cannot be disabled by an electrical power blackout. Other people have more confidence in a detector that gets power from the home's or apartment's electrical circuits and they don't have to change the batteries. Either type will significantly increase fire safety in your home. Look @ the package or label for a seal or stamp for a recognized national testing laboratory.

Place detectors close to where people sleep: hallways just outside the bedrooms: don't put a detector in the kitchen as airborne grease and cooking fumes may cause it to give off false alarms: also, avoid placing close to heating or air-conditioning vents since these may blow smoke away from the detector while it is spreading thro the house: TWO detectors are better than one (one of each). Some new detectors offer both ionization and photoelectric sensors in one unit.

Have TWO exits from each part of the house plus an alternative way: practice escapes-have fire drills so everyone living in the home or apartment knows what to do in case of fire and learn the "tricks" of safe escape: STAY LOW-FEEL THE DOOR-WHERE DO WE ALL MEET TO COUNT FOR EVERYONE!!!!