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1. Why do we need smoke detectors?

Because smoke detectors can save your life - and your family. Most fatal home fires occur at night, while people sleep. Fire produces toxic gases and smoke that actually numb the senses. If you're asleep, or become disoriented by toxic gases, you may not even realize that there is a fire. You can't rely on your own senses to detect a fire.

2. Is there proof that smoke detectors save lives?

Yes. Almost every day, news reports across the country tell of cases where smoke detectors have saves lives. In several instances, the detectors weren't even installed, yet alerted families to fire. Fire officials continually cite smoke detectors as life savers in home fires.

3. How can I prepare for a fire?

• A smoke detector in working condition will usually give you at least 3 minutes to evacuate the house. It is important to plan home fire drills before you experience a fire so that family members know what to do and can move quickly in the event of real fire. It is good to practice with the lights out since most fires do occur at night.
• Plan and know the escape route as well as an alternate escape route.
• Plan a meeting place outside the house so you'll know when everyone has escaped.
• Know where you can find to a phone to call 911. You can include neighbors in your fire escape plan.
• Especially train children because they get frightened and tend to hide.

4. What should I do if my alarm sounds?

• Don't try to fight the fire yourself.
• Get out of the house as quickly as possible, without panic.
• Call 911 as soon as you are out of the house from a neighbor's phone or from the nearest telephone.