Smoke Alarm Facts That Will Save Your Baby's Life

An important safety measure you can do for your baby's nursery is installing a smoke alarm and making sure it works properly. When a fire breaks out, babies and toddlers can't escape without your help. As a parent, it is up to you to make sure you make all the necessary precautions and prepare your family for the worst. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an estimated 2/3rds of home fires that kill children occur in homes without a working smoke alarm. When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected or dead. Don't be a statistic. Educate yourself on where to install the smoke alarm, proper maintenance to ensure it is always working and what to do encase the inevitable happens.

How To Prepare

Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home. That is why it is imperative that you install a smoke alarm inside your nursery and outside the nursery door, especially if you tend to keep the door shut. Experts also recommend having a baby monitor on throughout the night as well. Here are additional tips on how to maintain your smoke alarms:

• Always test smoke alarms twice a year. Some recommend every month!
• Change batteries each year or when a chirping sound is heard.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old
• Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed in locations at risk for carbon monoxide exposure, such as malfunctioning furnaces, gas water heaters, propane heaters and stoves, gasoline or diesel generators, etc.

Home Fire Escape Plan

Many adults have never been in an emergency fire evacuation situation and think it is simple to just walk outside if a fire breaks out. But the truth is, you may have less than 2 minutes to escape from your home or building. That is a minimal amount of time, especially if you are in a deep sleep. That is why it is critical to have a home fire escape plan, so when it is time to react, you and your family don't get left behind. Here are some useful tips on establishing a home fire escape plan:

• Keep nursery exits clear of toys and debris. Make sure the safety gate is open, so other family members can quickly escape.


• Have a baby harness next to the baby crib so you can have your hands free.


• Draw a map of your home, especially nursery, showing all doors and windows.


• Pre-establish different exit routes encase certain areas are on fire or blocked.


• Know at least 2 ways out of every room. Clear escape routes by making sure windows and doors are unblocked.


• Have a fire extinguisher in the nursery. It may help temporarily smother part of the fire, near exits, so you can escape.


• Have an outside meeting place (tree, light pole, mailbox) at a safe distance from home where all your family can meet.


• Practice home fire drills at night and during the day. Practice using different ways out.


• Educate young children about fire safety with toys that have fire rescue themes, such as firemen, fire stations, fire chiefs, etc.

When a fire breaks out, you won't have time to make rational decisions, you will only have time to react. That is why installing smoke alarms in the right places, making sure they all work properly, and implementing a home fire escape plan, are not only important safety measures, but can be the only preventative steps that will save your family's life.