A smoke alarm is critical for the early detection of a fire in your home and could mean the difference between life and death. Fires can occur in a variety of ways and in any room of your home. But no matter where or how, having a smoke alarm is the first key step towards your family's safety.

Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas, and inside bedrooms.

* Replace smoke alarm batteries at least annually, such as when resetting clocks in the fall or spring.
* Test all smoke alarms in your house once a month.
* Do not place a smoke alarm too close to a kitchen appliance or fireplace, as this may result in nuisance alarms.
* Avoid locating alarms near bathrooms, heating appliances, windows, or ceiling fans.
* Replace smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old. Smoke alarms don't last forever.
* Develop and practice a fire escape plan, because working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan will increase your protection in case of a fire.

A Fire Escape Plan May Save You and Your Family!!!!!!

Installing working smoke alarms is an essential, but they don't save lives unless everyone knows how to get out of the home safely. Make sure everyone knows how to escape when the smoke alarm sounds, whether awake or sleeping at the time. In your plan, have two ways out of each room, a prearranged meeting place outside and, most importantly, ONCE OUT – STAY OUT! There is no furniture or pictures that are worth your life.

Follow these steps when developing a fire escape plan for you and your family:

* Practice escaping from every room in the home.
* The best plans have two ways to get out of each room. If the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke, you will need a second way out.
* Practice the escape plan with your family during the day and at night. Children, older adults, and the hearing-impaired may sleep through a fire alarm or may need assistance in escaping.
* Designate a meeting location away from the home, but not necessarily across the street.
* For example, meet under a specific tree or at the end of the driveway or front sidewalk to make sure everyone has gotten out safely and no one will be hurt looking for someone who is already safe.
* Designate one person to go to a neighbor's home to phone the fire department.
* Practice the fire escape plan twice a year.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste, or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill before you are aware it is in your home.

* Install at least one carbon monoxide alarm with an audible warning signal near the sleeping areas and outside individual bedrooms. Make sure the alarm has been evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Carbon monoxide alarms measure levels of CO over time and are designed to sound an alarm before an average, healthy adult would experience symptoms. It is very possible that you may not be experiencing symptoms when you hear the alarm. This does not mean that CO is not present.
* Have a qualified professional check all fuel burning appliances, furnaces, venting and chimney systems at least once a year.
* Never use your range or oven to help heat your home and never use a charcoal grill or hibachi in your home or garage.
* Never keep a car running in a garage. Even if the garage doors are open, normal circulation will not provide enough fresh air to reliably prevent a dangerous buildup of CO.
* When purchasing an existing home, have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking systems, as well as the sealed spaces between the garage and house. The presence of a carbon monoxide alarm in your home can save your life in the event of CO buildup.

Duel smoke / carbon monoxide detectors are made and available at almost all stores.
If you or your family can not afford one contact your nearest Fire Department. They will be more than happy to help you.