How many smoke detectors do I need in my home and why is my smoke alarm making a funny sound (chirping)?

You should have at least one smoke detector in each bedroom, in the hallway outside each bedroom and at the top of all stairways. Smoke rises, so the best place to install a detector is on the ceiling or high on an inside wall approximately 6 to 8 inches below the ceiling. However, do not install a smoke detector within three feet of any device that might blow the smoke away.

Anytime your smoke detector goes off, it's important to pay attention. If it's sounding its loud alarm it's because it senses the presence of smoke; check your home thoroughly. If you smell smoke and are unable to locate a fire, call 911 and we'll send an engine to make sure that a fire isn't smoldering in a hidden area and it won't cost anything. If you don't smell smoke, the detector may be reacting to the presence of dust, steam, or a small insect or spider. Dust and bugs can be removed by a vacuum cleaner. If steam from a nearby shower is affecting your smoke detector regularly, move the detector to a different spot.

If the detector is just chirping, thumping, or buzzing, it probably means that the battery is low. Replace the battery as soon as possible. Without a working battery, a smoke detector can't do its job and the risk of dying in a fire increases greatly.

Show All Answers

1. Why does a fire truck respond with the ambulance?
2. But what can a fire truck do for me if I am sick or hurt?
3. How may I get a tour of a Fire Station?
4. Why is it necessary for Fire Fighters to break windows and cut holes in a roof?
5. Why when I call for an emergency, do I sometimes see an ambulance or fire truck from another Fire Department or City?
6. Why do I sometimes see fire trucks or ambulances running with their lights and sirens on, and then suddenly they turn them off?
7. When I am driving and I am approached by an emergency vehicle, what should I do?
8. How do I check my smoke detector?
9. Does the fire department do free blood pressure checks?
10. How do I refill or check my fire extinguisher?
11. Why do we see fire department crews at the store or restaurant?
12. Where can I get child locator decals?
13. How many smoke detectors do I need in my home and why is my smoke alarm making a funny sound (chirping)?
14. What is the best kind of fire extinguisher for my home?
15. Why did so many firetrucks come when I just had a fire on my stove?
16. How do I obtain a copy of my EMS report?
17. How do I get a copy of a fire report?
18. How to obtain a transport record?
19. How to obtain a EMS transport record?