Where should smoke alarms be installed in a multi-level home?

• A. In the kitchen
• B. In the basement
• C. In the hallway outside sleeping areas
• D. Outside sleeping areas on every level

Answer: (D)

The important idea is to have smoke alarms on every level so you get early warning no matter where a fire starts, and they should be positioned where they’ll wake you if you’re sleeping. Placing alarms outside sleeping areas on each level ensures that the alarm will be audible near bedrooms on that level, helping you wake up and evacuate quickly if smoke or fire is detected. Alarms are most effective when they’re interconnected, so one alarm triggering will set off the others too. Avoid placing alarms directly in the kitchen to reduce nuisance alarms from cooking, and don’t rely on a single location like the basement alone, which could leave people on other floors unprotected.