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SMOKE DETECTORS
SMOKE DETECTOR FACTS
✓ Over 93% of all homes in the U.S. have at least one smoke alarm. HOWEVER, 1/3 to 1/2 do
not work because of a dead or missing battery.
✓ A working smoke detector cuts your risk of dying in a fire in half.
✓ Six out of ten fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms.
✓ Wisconsin State Law requires at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home—including
the basement.
TYPES OF
IONIZATION alarms are activated when electrical current inside of them is charged by smoke.
Ionization alarms respond best to the heat and flame of a fast burning fire. This type of alarm is ideal
for placement in kitchens.
PHOTOELECTRIC alarms are triggered when smoke particles break through a beam of light inside
the unit. This type of alarm is best at detecting slow burning, smoldering fires.
PLACEMENT WITHIN THE HOME PLACEMENT WITHIN THE ROOM
MAINTENANCE
✓ Test your battery every month.
✓ Change your battery twice a year.
✓ Open the detector and carefully vacuum it out once a year.
✓ Replace the entire detector every 10 years.
WHEN A SMOKE ALARM SOUNDS LEAVE IMMEDIATELY
YOU HAVE LESS THAN 4 MINUTES TO REACH SAFETY
The Oshkosh Fire Department has a FREE home smoke detector check program (Project
S.A.F.E.). During the check, the number of detectors, along with placement, and batteries will
be checked. Any needed detectors and/or batteries are provided and installed at no charge.
Please call the Public Education Division 236-5249 for more information.