Smoke alarms are a great way to prevent fires from spreading. They can save your life, your home, and possibly other people in the house. But that’s only if you have a working smoke alarm installed near your bed at night. If not, you could be putting yourself and your family at risk. 

If you’re planning on going out of town this summer, it’s important to make sure your smoke alarms are fully functional before you head out. When you do leave, make sure they are on in the rooms where you sleep, including your bedroom, living room, guest bedrooms, and bathrooms. You should also install one outside of each sleeping area, preferably in an open-ceilinged area like a garage or balcony. 

If you do decide to go away for a few days, you should change the batteries in all of your smoke detectors regularly. Even if you don’t think you’ll be gone for long, you never know what might happen to your home while you’re gone. If something happens to your smoke detector, you may miss it until it’s too late. 

You should also set up a fire evacuation plan with your neighbors. If everyone is aware of where the exits are and how to get there safely, you won’t need to worry about missing anything. And remember, when using a fire escape, always wear shoes or boots so you can quickly move across the floor. 

A person should plan to keep the smoke alarm even if they are travelling from one place to another. A person can do the arrangement of the kidde smoke alarm going off for no reason and the take the further steps. Having the detail of the various options will take the person to heights. In eth long run the option will give good results.

When leaving town, you should give your pets ample time to find a new home. If you’re taking your pet with you, make sure he/she has enough food and water in case he/she gets separated from you during your trip. And make sure the carrier (or kennel) you use is sturdy and large enough to hold your dog comfortably. You should also bring your cat inside whenever possible, because cats tend to hide when outdoors. If you take your cat to your vacation destination, you should put him/her into a carrier or cage, preferably one with lots of ventilation holes, and place him/her inside your car’s trunk. Otherwise, your cat will probably try to jump out and run away once you start driving. 

If you have children who are old enough to travel by themselves, they should start being responsible for their own safety. Teach them how to call 911 in emergencies and let them know which items in their luggage they shouldn’t leave behind. Also, teach your children how to properly use a first aid kit, just in case something goes wrong while you’re away. Finally, if you don’t already have a cell phone, encourage them to buy one and keep it charged at all times. This way, you can contact them easily in case of any emergency. 

Here are some more tips for protecting your family while you’re away from home: 

• Make sure you have plenty of nonperishable food, bottled water, flashlights, extra blankets, and toilet paper on hand.
• Check with your local fire department to see whether there are any special requirements for traveling with animals.
• Keep your gas tank full. If you leave your car running, you won’t want to waste precious gasoline.
• Be sure to bring along a portable radio or CD player so your kids can entertain themselves.
• Take some personal hygiene supplies, such as makeup remover wipes, shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant.
• Bring along a copy of your birth certificate and social security card. This will allow your children to register with the school system if you’re unable to do so.
• Have a list of emergency contacts handy, especially if you’re traveling with young children.
• Always take along your wallet, checkbook, credit cards, and identification.
• If you’re traveling by plane, make sure you pack a blanket or pillow, bottled water, snacks, and an emergency kit containing things like a flashlight, battery-powered radio, and batteries.
• If you’re going somewhere cold, pack a sweater or jacket.
• If you’re taking a road trip, bring along plenty of snacks and drinks for the whole gang.
• Try to avoid packing anything unnecessary that could break, spill, or otherwise cause damage.
• Pack a small suitcase filled with items that can be used for a makeshift shelter in the event of an accident or emergency.
• Pack a small bag of medications in case of illness or injury.
• Carry a portable phone charger so you can stay in touch with loved ones.
• Bring along a camera and film for recording memories.
• Leave a note with instructions for someone who will care for your pets in case you die unexpectedly. This person should know how to feed and clean your cat, how to contact your veterinarian, and how to handle your financial affairs.
• If you’re taking your vehicle on the road, pack a spare tire, jumper cables, extra fuel, tools, a jack, and a tool kit.
• If you’re staying with friends or relatives, make sure they understand the importance of keeping your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors fully operational.
• Don’t leave anything valuable in your home unattended.
• Be sure to turn off utilities in case of an electrical outage.

To help protect yourself, your family, and your home, invest in a good quality smoke alarm. If you have questions about installing a smoke alarm in your home, contact your local fire department.

Many states require homeowners to purchase a smoke alarm and test it monthly. Some towns even offer free installation services. Call your local fire department to learn more about your state-specific requirements. 

To learn more about smoke alarms, visit the National Fire Protection Association website. 

This story was written by Mark Suster, who owns several home improvement companies. He lives near Chicago.