“Smoke Detectors are your families first line of defense in the event of a fire!“ Be prepared and ensure that they’re working at all times. Smoke detectors account for saving hundreds of lives each year.

Things to know :

1. Install at least one smoke detector on each level of your home. Smoke detectors save hundreds of lives each year due to the warning mechanisms. It is important to closely follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing your smoke detectors.
2. Regularly test and maintain your smoke detectors. It is easy to forget to replace the smoke alarm batteries. Most detectors will emit a chirping sound when the batteries are getting low, but once the chirping stops, it is dangerously easy to simply forget about it.
3. Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries!!!
4. You can purchase a smoke detector at most of your local hardware stores. Be sure that your current and/or new smoke detectors have a stamp of approval from a product certification agency. (Example: Underwriters Laboratories-UL or Factory Mutual-FM)
5. The life cycle of a smoke detector is roughly 8 to 10 years and at that point they should be replaced.
6. We strongly encourage replacing hard-wired only smoke detectors with combination hard-wired with battery back-up. In the event of a power interruption to your home your smoke detectors may not be working.

Do I really need smoke detectors in my home?
YES. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of properly located and maintained smoke detectors in the home. Without a doubt, they are the simplest, cheapest and most cost effective way to provide early warning against fire. Smoke detectors have been required by law since the early 1970's in all new homes built in the State of New Jersey. Requirements for the type, location and number of smoke detectors have changed over the years.
All smoke detectors within the dwelling unit must be installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 74. All AC powered smoke detectors must be audibly inter-connected. Each level of the dwelling unit and within 10 feet of each sleeping area is required to have either an AC or a DC powered smoke detector installed. The table below provides you with the requirements of the Construction Code regarding the number of and type of smoke detectors that are required based on the year the dwelling unit was built and that the dwelling unit must meet the new requirements of the Code. (detectors on each level)
 

1. Pre 1975 - battery powered smoke detector on any level
2. 1975-1977 - electric powered on uppermost level
3. 1977-1983 - electric powered smoke detector on uppermost and basement level (if applicable)
4. 1983-1991 - electric powered smoke detector on all levels
5. 1991-present - electric powered smoke detector with a backup battery powered smoke detector on each level and in each sleeping area.

Remember that the easiest way to maintain your smoke detectors is to test them when you change the battery each fall when you "Change Your Clock, Change your Battery".

For more information and any current product recalls please visit any of the following websites.

US Fire Administration
NFPA