Regardless of whether your home has battery-powered or hard-wired smoke alarms, they need to be replaced every 10 years. The older the alarm, the longer it takes to recognize a fire and alert you. Since a fire can double in size every 2 minutes (sometimes quicker!) ... you don't have time to spare.

One-half of home fire deaths occur in the 6 percent of homes with no smoke alarms.

In three of every 10 reported fires in homes equipped with smoke alarms, the devices did not work. Households with non-working smoke alarms now outnumber those with no smoke alarms.

Smoke alarms most often fail because of missing, dead or disconnected batteries.

• Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home (including the basement) and outside each sleeping area.
• Because smoke rises, alarms should be mounted high on walls or ceilings.
• Smoke alarms should not be installed near a window, door or forced-air register where drafts could interfere with their operation.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
• Install new batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year, for example, on your birthday. We recommend doing this every 6 months (if it is not a lithium battery, which can last 7-10 years).
• Replace all smoke alarm batteries immediately upon moving into a new home.
• Keep batteries in smoke alarms; do not borrow them for other purposes.
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.

For more information, please contact the Scottsdale Fire Department at 480-312-1855 or download an information sheet from the National Fire Prevention Association.

If you need assistance installing your battery-powered smoke alarm, please fill out the Smoke Alarm Request Form to schedule an appointment. This program is intended for low-income residences.