International Association of Fire Chiefs

Smart Alarm Choices

Smart Alarm Choices

Smart Alarm Choices an online toolkit

This toolkit was created to help fire service leaders with educational materials to promote advanced smoke alarm education among their personnel and community.

Supported by:
Kidde 
Why Was the Program Developed?
Every home needs smoke alarms
More Public Education Videos

Fire experts recommend that smoke alarms are installed on each floor, in hallways and inside of all sleeping areas. Unfortunately, too many homes are not properly protected with enough working smoke alarms, or they are not tested and maintained. That leaves the people who live in the homes at great risk.

There are many challenges with educating the public about smoke alarms. Technology is changing in the smoke alarm industry; media coverage can be confusing with conflicting information about the effectiveness of smoke alarm and widespread budget cuts in fire department public education programs.

This toolkit was developed in conjunction with Kidde and support of the IAFC Fire and Life Safety section. Bookmark this site and check back regularly as resources will continue to be updated.


Featured Resources

Smoke Alarm Media Talking Points
Smoke Alarm Media Talking Points

General Statement on Location-Based Alarms

75 percent of all fatal fires occur in someone’s home. That’s approximately 2,980 people losing their life as the result of a fire in their home, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Smoke alarms have been proven to increase the chances of survival by giving the residents additional time to get out of the house. However, many residents do not have the appropriate number of working smoke alarms in their house which leave them under protected. The NFPA and IAFC recommends that homes have a smoke alarm on each floor, in hallways and inside of all sleeping areas.

Key Messages

  • Smart Choices for Smoke Alarm Placement Smart Choices for Smoke Alarm Placement is a new IAFC program that provides fire departments educational materials and other useful resources to help inform their communities about the importance of having a sufficient number of working smoke alarms in homes, how smoke alarm technologies work and the proper placement of the alarms.

Most fatal fires occur in the home

  • 75 percent of all fatal fires occur in the home (NFPA)
  • Approximately 2,980 Americans die each year in home fires (NFPA)

More working smoke alarms in the home increases the chances of surviving a fire

  • On average, families have less than three minutes from the time the first smoke alarm sounds to escape a fire. The sooner an alarm is heard, the more time there is to respond.
  • The most important thing is to ensure that there are working UL-listed smoke alarms on every floor of the home, in hallways, in living areas, inside bedrooms and outside of sleeping areas.

Residents without a sufficient number of working smoke alarms are under protected.

  • More than 84 million homes – most built prior to 1993 – only have isolated battery- or electric-powered smoke alarms, and millions more do not have an alarm inside of bedrooms.

Install working UL-listed smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, in or near the kitch, at least 20 feet from cooking appliances and on every level of the home, including the basement.

  • When installing smoke alarms, always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions in the owner’s manual.

Smoke alarms should be in every bedroom or just outside the bedroom in the hallway

    Roughly 65 percent of home fire deaths are caused by fires in just three rooms: living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens. (NFPA)
  • Placing smoke alarms in bedrooms as well as in hallways could increase a family’s escape time by up to 15 minutes. (NIST)
  • Half (52%) of all home fire deaths occur between 7 PM and 11 AM, when most people are asleep. (NFPA)

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and injuries in the United States

  • Cooking-related fires are the second leading cause of home fire deaths. (NFPA)
  • Install smoke alarms at least 20 feet from cooking appliances to prevent nuisance alarms.

Smoking is the leading cause of home fire fatalities

  • Most fatal smoking-related fires begin in the family room or den.
  • Typically, abandoned or carelessly discarded smoking materials ignite trash, bedding or upholstery.

Smoke alarms do not last forever

  • Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years and be tested monthly.
  • Replace alarm batteries at least once a year or when the alarm signals (“chirps”) the end of the battery life. Follow manufacturer’s instructions if you have a 10-year smoke alarm which uses a long-life lithium battery.
  • Topics:
    • Featured Smart Alarm Choices
  • Resource Type:
    • Public education material
  • Organizational Author:
    • Fire Life Safety Section
Smoke Alarm Media Talking Points
Smoke Alarm Media Talking Points

General Statement on Location-Based Alarms

75 percent of all fatal fires occur in someone’s home. That’s approximately 2,980 people losing their life as the result of a fire in their home, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Smoke alarms have been proven to increase the chances of survival by giving the residents additional time to get out of the house. However, many residents do not have the appropriate number of working smoke alarms in their house which leave them under protected. The NFPA and IAFC recommends that homes have a smoke alarm on each floor, in hallways and inside of all sleeping areas.

Key Messages

  • Smart Choices for Smoke Alarm Placement Smart Choices for Smoke Alarm Placement is a new IAFC program that provides fire departments educational materials and other useful resources to help inform their communities about the importance of having a sufficient number of working smoke alarms in homes, how smoke alarm technologies work and the proper placement of the alarms.

Most fatal fires occur in the home

  • 75 percent of all fatal fires occur in the home (NFPA)
  • Approximately 2,980 Americans die each year in home fires (NFPA)

More working smoke alarms in the home increases the chances of surviving a fire

  • On average, families have less than three minutes from the time the first smoke alarm sounds to escape a fire. The sooner an alarm is heard, the more time there is to respond.
  • The most important thing is to ensure that there are working UL-listed smoke alarms on every floor of the home, in hallways, in living areas, inside bedrooms and outside of sleeping areas.

Residents without a sufficient number of working smoke alarms are under protected.

  • More than 84 million homes – most built prior to 1993 – only have isolated battery- or electric-powered smoke alarms, and millions more do not have an alarm inside of bedrooms.

Install working UL-listed smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, in or near the kitch, at least 20 feet from cooking appliances and on every level of the home, including the basement.

  • When installing smoke alarms, always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions in the owner’s manual.

Smoke alarms should be in every bedroom or just outside the bedroom in the hallway

    Roughly 65 percent of home fire deaths are caused by fires in just three rooms: living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens. (NFPA)
  • Placing smoke alarms in bedrooms as well as in hallways could increase a family’s escape time by up to 15 minutes. (NIST)
  • Half (52%) of all home fire deaths occur between 7 PM and 11 AM, when most people are asleep. (NFPA)

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and injuries in the United States

  • Cooking-related fires are the second leading cause of home fire deaths. (NFPA)
  • Install smoke alarms at least 20 feet from cooking appliances to prevent nuisance alarms.

Smoking is the leading cause of home fire fatalities

  • Most fatal smoking-related fires begin in the family room or den.
  • Typically, abandoned or carelessly discarded smoking materials ignite trash, bedding or upholstery.

Smoke alarms do not last forever

  • Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years and be tested monthly.
  • Replace alarm batteries at least once a year or when the alarm signals (“chirps”) the end of the battery life. Follow manufacturer’s instructions if you have a 10-year smoke alarm which uses a long-life lithium battery.
  • Topics:
    • Featured Smart Alarm Choices
  • Resource Type:
    • Public education material
  • Organizational Author:
    • Fire Life Safety Section
ALL FIRE PREVENTION RELATED RESOURCES

News

Jan 01, 0001

The U.S. House of Representatives Passes Legislation to Help Make Micromobility Devices Fire-Safe.

H.R. 973, the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-ion Batteries Act has passed the U.S. House of Representatives

Jan 01, 0001

Stay Connected to KnowledgeNet available via Mobile App

Access IAFC's online community via mobile app.

Jan 01, 0001

Explore and Contribute to the Home Oxygen Therapy (HOT) Data Dashboard to help Enhance Community Safety

Help enhance practices and enhance community safety by sharing your experiences with Home Oxygen Therapy

Jan 01, 0001

IAFC 2025 Conference Lineup – An Event for Every Leader

Here’s a quick look at IAFC's 2025 conference lineup

Jan 01, 0001

2025 FLSS Scholarship for the Community Risk Reduction Leadership Conference

Apply for the CRRL Scholarship and enhance your expertise and sharpen your skills in this critical area

Jan 01, 0001

Public Hearing on Thermal Fuse Reimbursement: A Critical Step Towards Fire Safety

CMC to hold public hearing November 8 regarding thermal fuses, a crucial safety device in fire prevention.

Jan 01, 0001

The IAFC calls upon the United States Senate to consider and pass legislation to help make e-bikes, e-scooters and hoverboards fire-safe.

IAFC encourages members to contact their Senators and ask them to pass legislation requiring safety standards for lithium-ion batteries in micro mobility devices.

Jan 01, 0001

Chief Greg Rogers provides insight to NFPA Journal on the Single Exit Stair topic

Chief Greg Rogers provides insight to NFPA Journal on the Single Exit Stair topic

Jan 01, 0001

Fire Chief Ray Reynolds Honored for Excellence in Fire and Life Safety

Fire and Life Safety Section presented Fire Chief Ray Reynolds with the 2024 Excellence in Fire & Life Safety Award

Jan 01, 0001

Call For Presentations: 2025 Community Risk Reduction Leadership Conference

Submit your presentation idea as part of the 2025 Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Leadership Conference today

Jan 01, 0001

Come participate in the conversation about Fire Service Hazards and Building and Fire Code Prevention Measures related to Lithium-ion Batteries and Energy Storage Systems!

Join the IAFC and FLSS session on lithium-Ion Batteries during FRI.

Jan 01, 0001

New Standards Development Activity on Battery Safety

NFPA is seeking comments regarding New Standards Development Activity on Battery Safety

Jan 01, 0001

Fire & Life Safety Section Chair Greg Rogers testifies at ICC Code Hearing

Watch the fire service testify against the single stair code proposal

Jan 01, 0001

Reducing Stairs in Residential Buildings Higher Than Three Stories Creates Escape Hazards for Occupants and Inhibits Vital Emergency Response Operations

Fire, Life and Safety Section submits a position statement.

Jan 01, 0001

Fighting Fire and Preserving Progress: The Unsung Role of Portable Fire Extinguishers in Environmental and Life Safety

The use of portable fire extinguishers is a win-win situation for both life safety and environmental preservation

Jan 01, 0001

FLSS Strategic Initiatives Plan for the years 2023 – 2025

New! FLSS Strategic Initiatives Plan for the years 2023 – 2025

Jan 01, 0001

FLSS Scholarship for the Community Risk Reduction Leadership Conference

Learn about an opportunity for scholarships and complimentary registration to attend the Community Risk Reduction Leadership Conference

Jan 01, 0001

The Fire and Life Safety Section IAFC training has been rescheduled!

Join us on November 15th, 2023, and equip yourself with essential skills to ensure safety in any situation

Jan 01, 0001

Training: Batteries in the Fire Service, Tall Mass-Timber Buildings & Fire Department Concerns, and Codes that Safeguard Construction

Training on operational response and code requirements for batteries in buildings and energy storage systems

Jan 01, 0001

Call for Candidates for the 2024 FLSS Election

Learn more about the available positions.

Jan 01, 0001

CNIC Announces Fire and Emergency Services Award Winners

The Navy F&ES Awards Program was instituted in 1997 to recognize the most outstanding fire departments and personnel for achieving the highest degree of excellence in mission support and fire protection management.

Jan 01, 0001

Trend Towards 10-Year Technology

Suggestions for replacing alarms.

Jan 01, 0001

Do Not Be Left Under Protected

If your home was built before 1993, here are optimum locations of smoke alarms.

Jan 01, 0001

Don't Fall Victim to Carbon Monoxide, the "Invisible Killer"

Carbon monoxide, also known as CO, is called the "Invisible Killer" because it's a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. More than 150 people in the Unites States die every year from accidental non-fire related CO poisoning associated with consumer products, including generators.

Jan 01, 0001

DHS Releases New “Cyber Essentials” Resources to Promote Cybersecurity

The IAFC recommends that fire chiefs review the actions described in the Cyber Essentials to protect your fire department from cyber-attacks.

Jan 01, 0001

Seven Ways to Make Community Risk Reduction a Focus of Your Department

An ever-present concern for any fire chief is our role in reducing the impact incidents have on our community.

Jan 01, 0001

Kidde Recalls Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms

Recall involves models PI2010 and PI9010 of Kidde dual sensor.

Jan 01, 0001

IAFC Expresses Condolences for Victims of Baltimore Fire

The IAFC expresses its deep condolences to the family and friends of six young children who reportedly perished during a residential house fire Thursday in Baltimore, Md. We commend the first responders who responded to the tragic scene.

Videos/Podcasts

 

Did you know?

  • 75% of all fatal fires occur in a residence.
  • Approximately 2,980 people die in the United States each year as the result of a fire in their home. 
  • Fire fatalities occur in the 40%% of homes that have no alarms, or 17% no working smoke alarms.

Source: (NFPA)

Contact

Derek Bullington
Program Coordinator
International Association of Fire Chiefs
(703) 537-4831
dbullington@iafc.org

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