Where Should I Install Smoke Detectors And Fire Alarms? - SafeWise

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• Each floor of your home
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Home | Home Safety | Where Should I Install Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarms?

Where Should I Install Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarms? Why you can trust SafeWise products considered250+research hours in 25+ in-home tests10k+years of combined experience176+homes and people protected10M+

For over 12 years, SafeWise has conducted independent research, hands-on testing, and expert consultations to provide trustworthy, human-written home safety advice. Read our methodology.

By Katie McEntire Oct 12, 2023 3 min read

Fires can strike whether you’re awake, asleep, at home, or away. It’s important to place smoke detectors throughout your house or apartment to catch danger wherever it may strike.

Fire Prevention Week 2025

Fire Prevention Week is October 5-11, 2025. This year’s theme is “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home." The campaign emphasizes three things when it comes to lithium-ion battery safety: Buy, Charge, and Recycle.

🔥 Charge into Fire Safety: 3 Easy Steps

1️⃣ Buy smart → Look for UL, ETL, or CSA safety marks.2️⃣ Charge right → Use original cords, charge on hard surfaces, don’t overcharge.3️⃣ Recycle safe → Never toss batteries—find a drop-off spot.

Nest Protect $119.00 View on Google Store

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.

Standard smoke alarms (you know the ones) emit loud beeping when they sense danger. Smart smoke alarms like Nest Protect can alert you of danger even when you aren’t home.

Where should smoke detectors be placed throughout your home? Good question. We've researched the best places to place a smoke detector or fire alarm to catch a fire before it spreads.

Where should smoke detectors be placed?

• Each floor of your home
• On stairways
• Living areas and large rooms
• Smoke alarm types and installation

Make your home safer with one easy step.From wild weather to fire hazards, our newsletter provides tips for protecting everything (and everyone) you love. Sign up now!

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Each floor of your home 

Every level of your home should have at least one smoke detector ready to go. Attics and basements should have a smoke alarm with fresh batteries as well.

For bedrooms on the top floor, keep a fire escape ladder handy so everyone upstairs can get out safely should a fire strike.

In every bedroom 

If a fire starts in a bedroom while your family is sleeping, you’ll want the alarm to wake you up. We recommend installing a smoke detector in or outside of every bedroom, including the hallways connecting your rooms.

On stairways

Your stairs may be the fastest way out of your home during a fire. Placing a smoke alarm on the staircase can also alert other family members upstairs or downstairs if danger strikes. Each staircase, including those leading to the attic or basement, should have a smoke detector nearby.

Living areas and large rooms 

From the kitchen to the living room (especially if you have a fireplace), anywhere where your family gathers should have some level of protection. Because of leftover cooking grease, heat, and flammable materials like curtains and towels, your kitchen is the room most vulnerable to fire.

Learn what you should do if a fire starts in your home, and sit down with your family to create a fire emergency plan. Make it memorable for your little ones by physically practicing your fire drill.

Fire alarms and smoke detectors go a long way in preventing would-be fires. What about when a fire does creep in? Make sure to keep safety equipment like fire extinguishers on hand to stop a fire from spreading in your house.

Smoke detector placement tips

Along with bedrooms and hallways, choose spots along your walls for the best protection. Smoke rises, so install smoke detectors within a foot of the ceiling.

Keep smoke detectors away from cooking appliances, windows, doors, air conditioning vents, and ducts. Drafts can interfere with the alarm's operation and leave you vulnerable to danger.

Smoke alarm types, installation, and maintenance

There are two main types of smoke alarms: ionization and photoelectric.

Ionization alarms can better detect invisible particles from flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are better at detecting bigger fire particles, such as those from a slow, smoldering fire.

We recommend adding both types of smoke alarms to your home for maximum detection. Dual sensor smoke alarms combine ionization and photoelectric sensors into one powerful device.

Regardless of the type or brand of smoke alarm you pick, you’ll want to interconnect all your alarms so when one smoke alarm sounds, the other alarms will sound too. Many manufacturers offer interconnected smoke alarms which are easy to set up.

Be sure to test all the smoke alarms in your home once a month. When the battery runs low, replace it immediately. The best smoke detectors have a lifespan of around ten years, so be sure to replace the actual device once every decade.

Need help installing carbon monoxide detectors?

Check out our resource for properly installing carbon monoxide alarms throughout your home. Or find a CO detector with our guide.

Related articles

• • Best Smoke Detectors
  • Best Fire Extinguishers
  • How Can I Prevent a House Fire
  • What Should I Do In The Event Of A House Fire

 

Compare top home safety products

Product	Best for	Price	Specifications	Standout feature	Learn more	Read review
Google Nest Protect	Best smoke and CO detector	Around $200	Battery-powered and wired options	Speaks to you	View on Amazon	Read review
Amerex B402	Best fire extinguisher	Around $80	ABC fires9.5 lbs.14-sec. discharge	Firefighter recommended	View on Amazon	Read review
Complete 72 Hour Earthquake Bag	Best emergency kit	Around $200	Sustains 3 people for 3 days	Tents Hand-crank radio-flashlight-phone charger	View on Amazon	Read review
Airthings Corentium	Best radon detector	Around $145	Battery-powered Digital display	Results in 24 hours	View on Amazon	Read review
Honda EU2200iTAG	Best portable generator	Around $1,200	1,800 watts	Runs for up 8.1 hours	View on Amazon	Read review
Kidde KL-2S	Best fire escape ladder	Around $70	Holds up to 1,000 lbs	Deploys quickly	View on Amazon	Read review

Amazon.com price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.Google and Google Nest Secure are trademarks of Google LLC.

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.

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Disclaimer

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

Google, Google Nest Secure, [any other related Google Products] and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.

Share Article Written by Katie McEntire As a renter, pet-owner, and woman living alone, Katie McEntire takes safety seriously. She’s tested devices like pet cameras, home security systems, and GPS trackers in her own home and devices in the name of safety. In addition to testing, writing, and reviewing for SafeWise, she also makes videos for the site’s YouTube channel. She’s been featured on publications like TechGuySmartBuy, Forbes, Healthy Moms, and Digital Care. Katie has a Bachelor’s degree in Technical Writing from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. She’s held previous writing positions at Overstock.com and Top Ten Reviews.

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