Although 92 percent of American homes have smoke alarms, many of them are non-functional. Smoke alarm failures usually result from missing, disconnected, or dead batteries. According to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Three out of five home fire deaths resulted from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. The risk of dying in reported home structure fires is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.

Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly. Smoke alarms save lives!
Most fatal fires occur at night when people are asleep. Often victims never wake up. Working smoke alarms will detect smoke and sound an alarm to alert you, giving you a precious window of opportunity to escape.

Changing smoke alarm batteries while changing clocks twice a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce death and injuries. MDFR urges all residents to adopt the lifesaving habit of changing smoke alarm batteries when changing clocks this fall.

For more information, please contact MDFR’s Public Affairs Bureau at 786-331-5200.