Instructions for a Smoke Alarm

Check your local and state laws and find out how many smoke alarms are required in your home. This will tell you how many alarms you'll need to purchase. Most states require you to have one located near or inside each bedroom and near living areas with at least one on each level of your home. Even if your state does not require you to have a smoke alarm, it's advisable to do so. (ref.1)

Visit your local department or hardware store to purchase your alarms. While there are several types of smoke alarms, they all serve the same purpose. So if you're buying several or are on a tight budget, you don't need the most expensive one. It's better to have several less expensive alarms than a few expensive ones. While you're there, you may need to pick up some hardware, such as screws or nails, to hang your alarms.

Determine what type of batteries, and how many of them, your alarm requires. This will vary depending on the type of alarm. Buy enough batteries for all alarms. Keeping a few extra batteries on hand will enable you to change batteries promptly when needed. Most alarms will make a sound similar to a bird chirping when batteries are low, and it's recommended to replace old batteries twice per year. (ref.2)

Hang your alarms in their proper places using screws or nails. Since each alarm is different, the packaging should have simple instructions on how to hang your alarms. Once done, be sure the alarms are secure to prevent them from falling, and do one more test to ensure the battery did not shift out of place during installation. The alarm may also come with other instructions on how to care for your specific model, and should be read and kept in a safe place for reference.