Smoke Detectors

Most home fire deaths happen in the middle of the night when your family is asleep. A smoke detector can save your life by waking you and giving you time to escape.

Location, Testing and Maintenance

The best place for your smoke alarms:

• On every level of your home, including the basement and workshop.
• In the hallway and every bedroom.
• On the ceiling or on the wall, 4 inches but no more that 12 inches below the ceiling. Keep detectors away from air vents.

Check the alarm batteries once a month by pressing the test button with your finger. The batteries should be replaced once a year.

You should clean the alarm by following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Preventing Nuisance Alarms

To prevent false alarms, move the detector away from a kitchen or bathroom or woodstove.  These areas sometimes cause frequent false alarms.  You should never take the battery out of the detector as most people forget to replace it after your done.  Simply move the detector to a less sensitive area.

The Martinsburg Firefighters have a free smoke detector program.  If you are in need of a smoke detector contact us.  We can also assist in installing them in your home.

For more information contact:

Martinsburg Firefighters at

(304) 264-2111