Help keep your home and family safe with these simple fire prevention tips. #GoodNeighbor Did you know you have as little as two minutes to safely escape a home fire from the time your smoke alarm sounds? Things to consider for a home fire escape plan: • Keep your eyeglasses, mobile phone, and a flashlight near your bed to reach them quickly in an emergency. • When looking for an apartment or high-rise home, look for one with an automatic sprinkler system. • For people who are visually impaired, the sound of the smoke alarm can be disorienting in an emergency. Practice the escape plan with the sound of the alarm to acclimate to the extra noise. • If you have a service animal, agree on a plan to keep the animal with you during an emergency. • For people with cognitive disabilities, work with their healthcare providers and local fire department to make an evacuation plan that works for their needs. • Keep your walker, scooter, cane, or wheelchair by your bed/where you sleep to make sure you can reach it quickly. Check all exits to be sure you can fit through the doorways. Installing Smoke Alarms: • To install a battery-powered alarm, all you need is a drill and screwdriver. Always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions. • Hard-wired alarms should be installed by a qualified electrician. All hard-wired smoke alarms should be interconnected: If one alarm is activated, all alarms will sound. • Install a smoke alarm in each bedroom. • Don't install a smoke alarm too close to windows, doors, vents or ceiling fans where drafts could blow smoke away from an alarm. • If you have questions about where to install your smoke alarms, contact your local fire department. Many departments will conduct home smoke alarm inspections for free or a minimal fee. Testing Smoke Alarms: • If you have standalone battery-powered alarms, test them once a month and replace the batteries once a year. • Make sure that everyone in your household knows the sound of the alarms. • Never paint any part of a smoke alarm. • Follow the manufacturer's instructions when cleaning your alarms. Dust and debris can usually be removed by using a vacuum cleaner attachment.