Smoke Alarms and Home Fire Safety Checks

Learn more about life-saving smoke alarms


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Need a smoke alarm installed or a home safety check? Working smoke alarms save lives What types of smoke alarms can I buy?  How do I take care of my smoke alarm? Where do I put smoke alarms in my home? What do I do if my smoke alarm sounds while I'm cooking?  Are smoke alarms expensive? What powers a smoke alarm?

If this is an emergency, please call 911. If your carbon monoxide alarm is sounding, evacuate premises, contact 911, and request an air quality check in your home.

Need a smoke alarm installed or a home safety check?

If you are concerned about the safety of your home or need a smoke alarm installed, you may request Raleigh Fire's smoke alarm and home safety check using the form at the end of this page.

Working smoke alarms save lives

On average, each year in the city of Raleigh we have at least two fatalities from house fires. In some of the homes where people lost their lives smoke alarms were not present or the smoke alarms were not working. Raleigh Fire wants help keep all our residents safe by having working smoke alarms in every home. Below, we've provided informational videos and helpful guidelines for smoke alarms in your home.

Dan Doofus Realizes Smoke Alarms Are an Alarming Trend

© 2015 National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®). All rights reserved.

What types of smoke alarms can I buy? 

Smoke Alarm Test

There are many brands of smoke alarms on the market, but they fall under two basic types: ionization and photoelectric.  Regardless of which type you purchase, be sure that it is UL listed. Please check for recalls and reviews on your smoke alarm.

Ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms detect different types of fires. Since no one can predict what type of fire might start in their home, the USFA recommends that every home and place where people sleep have:

  • Both ionization AND photoelectric smoke alarms, or:
  • Dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.
  • Choose interconnected smoke alarms, so when one sounds, they all sound.
  • There are also alarms for people with hearing loss. These alarms may have strobe lights that flash and/or vibrate to alert those who are unable to hear standard smoke alarms.

Home Smoke Alarms Are Getting Smarter

©2020 National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA). All rights reserved.

How do I take care of my smoke alarm?

Is your smoke alarm still working? A smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all. A smoke alarm only works when it is properly installed and regularly tested. Take care of your smoke alarms according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Below are some general maintenance tips.

Smoke alarm powered by a nine-volt battery

  • Test the alarm monthly.
  • Replace the batteries at least once every year.
  • Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years.

Smoke alarm powered by a 10-year lithium (or “long-life”) battery

  • Test the alarm monthly.
  • Since you cannot (and should not) replace the lithium battery, replace the entire smoke alarm according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Smoke alarm that is hardwired into your home's electrical system

  • Test the alarm monthly.
  • Replace the backup battery at least once every year.
  • Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years.

Home Smoke Alarm Testing and Maintenance

© 2019 National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®). All rights reserved.

Where do I put smoke alarms in my home?

A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Put smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Put alarms on every level of the home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound.

Place smoke alarms on the ceiling or high on the wall. Check the manufacturer's instructions for the best place for your alarm.

Only qualified electricians should install hardwired smoke alarms.

What do I do if my smoke alarm sounds while I'm cooking? 

Never take the battery out of your smoke alarm while cooking! If a smoke alarm sounds while you're cooking or taking a shower with lots of steam, do not remove the battery. You should:

  • Open a window or door and press the “hush” button.
  • Wave a towel at the alarm to clear the air.
  • Move the entire alarm several feet away from the kitchen or bathroom.
  • Disabling a smoke alarm or removing the battery can be a deadly mistake.

Smoke Alarm Technologies for People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

 ©2021 National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®). All rights reserved.

Are smoke alarms expensive?

Smoke alarms are not expensive and are worth the lives they can help save.

  • Ionization and photoelectric: $6 and up
  • Dual sensor: $24 and up
  • Smoke alarms with a microprocessor (faster to alert, fewer false alarms): $30 and up
  • Radio frequency/wireless (communicate from one to the next without wires): $40 and up

What powers a smoke alarm?

Smoke Alarm

Smoke alarms are powered by battery or by your home's electrical system. If the smoke alarm is powered by battery, it runs on either a disposable nine-volt battery or a non-replaceable 10-year lithium (“long-life”) battery. Alarms that get power from your home's electrical system, or “hardwired,” usually have a back-up battery that will need to be replaced once a year.

Request a Smoke Alarm and Home Safety Check

Raleigh Fire will install up to two (2) smoke alarms for emergency needs only and will be installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. All smoke alarms given out by Raleigh Fire are installed by firefighters or our partners (Red Cross or Raleigh CERT Volunteers). We do not provide services for hard-wired smoke alarms. Contact a handyman, your alarm company, or an electrician for assistance with hard-wired smoke alarms in your home.

CONTACT INFO

Contact Information

Primary Phone Number

Secondary Phone Number (optional)

ADDRESS


Location for Smoke Alarm and Home Safety Check


Please select a date for your Smoke Alarm and Home Safety Check.

We will contact you by phone within 24 hours to set a time.

 

Contact

 

Address
Raleigh Fire Department
310 West Martin Street
Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27601

If your call is an actual emergency, please call 9-1-1

Office of the Fire Marshal
fireprevention@raleighnc.gov
919-996-6392

Fire Recruitment
rfdrecruiter@raleighnc.gov
919-996-6395

Fire Administration
fireprevention@raleighnc.gov
919-996-6115

Herbert Griffin, Fire Chief
Office of the Fire Chief

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