How Many Smoke Detectors Do I Need in My House?

When it comes to protecting your family, the first safety step is to be prepared. Smoke alarms are your first line of defense against a house fire by providing your family with an early alert, helping to give them time to safely escape. At First Alert, we provide reliable protection you can trust to help protect what matters most. Do you know how many smoke detectors you need in your home for whole home protection, what type is best for your home and proper smoke detector placement? Here’s what you should know about smoke detectors.

It is important to know how many smoke detectors you need in your home to help protect against the threat of fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, including the basement. One fire detector should also be installed inside of every bedroom and outside of each sleeping area. For example, a two-story home with three bedrooms should have at least five smoke alarms. Homes that have a set number of hardwired smoke detectors can still place additional battery-operated smoke alarms throughout the house. There is no such thing as having too many smoke alarms in your home! Just make sure these fire detectors are properly placed in each recommended area for whole home protection.

Where Do I Install Smoke Detectors in My Home?

In order for your home’s smoke alarms to perform best, the detectors need to have the correct placement and need to be properly installed in each room. In the kitchen, smoke detectors should be installed at least 10 feet away from cooking appliances to minimize the number of false alarms. Smoke rises, so smoke alarms should be placed high on walls or ceilings. If you are installing a battery-operated smoke detector on a wall, the top of the alarm should not be installed more than 12 inches from the ceiling. Keep in mind that fire alarms should not be placed too close to vents, ceiling fans, corners or windows for them to work properly. Also, remember to test your fire alarms monthly to ensure they are functioning correctly and replace the detector's batteries every 6 months.

What Type of Smoke Detector Should I Have?

There are many different types of smoke detectors, such as battery-operated smoke alarms, hardwired alarms, interconnected smoke alarms, battery-backup alarms, combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and more! Browse our selection of smoke and fire alarms to learn more about which alarms to install to help protect your home and family.

Whether you are moving into a new home or assessing a current one, it is important to know how many smoke detectors you need to help protect your space.