Every year in the United States, about 2,500 people die in home fires. Most of these deaths occurred in homes that didn't have a working smoke alarm. The best thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones from home fires is to install smoke detectors. See tips below on how to prepare your home. 

• Install smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
   
• Larger homes may need additional smoke alarms to provide enough protection.
   
• ‌For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms so when one sounds they all sound.
   
• ‌An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, both types of alarms or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms (also known as dual sensor alarms) are recommended.
   
• ‌Smoke alarms should be installed away from the kitchen to prevent false alarms. Generally, they should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from a cooking appliance.
   
• ‌Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.