Mountain View Fire Rescue knows that smoke alarms save lives in the event of a fire, and proper smoke alarm maintenance is crucial to make sure residents are alerted if there is a fire. 

Smoke Alarm tips from the National Fire Protection Association:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom. They should also be outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement.

• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.

• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.

• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.

• Current alarms on the market employ different types of technology including multi-sensing, which could include smoke and carbon monoxide combined.

• Today’s smoke alarms will be more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions, yet mitigate false alarms.

• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.

• People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.

• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

If you reside in our Fire District and do not feel you can safely reach your smoke alarms to test them or change the batteries, please contact education@mvfpd.org or call 303-772-0710 and we will be happy to help.  Please be advised you may not get assistance the same day, please plan ahead!  If your smoke alarms need new batteries, we ask that you provide the batteries. 

Contact your local dispatch center (Weld or Boulder County if you live in our district) NON-EMERGENCY if your alarm is chirping and you need assistance with your chirping alarm and have batteries in hand. 

If all of your alarms are sounding off (not chirping) 911 is appropriate,