C.F. O'Connell & Sons, Inc.

Most home fire deaths happen in the middle of the night between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. A smoke detector can save your life by waking you up and giving you time to escape.

When you purchase a smoke detector, look for one that is approved by an independent testing facility.

The best places for your smoke alarms include:
-On every level of your home, including the basement
-Outside of every bedroom
-On the ceiling or wall 6 to 12 inches below the ceiling

Other tips include:
-Keep smoke alarms away from air vents.
-Check the alarm batteries once a month by pressing the test button with your finger.
-Replace batteries once a year.
-Keep the grillwork on the outside clean and vacuum the outside to keep the detector dust-free.

It is also important to teach children about what to do in the case of a fire and formulate a family meeting place outside if there is a fire.

Copyright 2006 Erie Indemnity Company