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Step 1
Determine which type of smoke alarm you need: The ion smoke alarm reacts best to open flame fires and is the least expensive. The photoelectric smoke alarm reacts best to smoldering fires and won't react as much to ordinary kitchen smoke. Buying both kinds and using them together offers the best protection.
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Step 2
Determine how many you need. It's a good idea to install one in each bedroom, near heat sources and at least one on each level of a home. Pay attention to whether an alarm is specially designed for a certain location, such as a hallway.
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Step 3
Decide whether you'll need battery-powered or electric smoke alarms.
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Step 4
Determine the decibel level for the alarm. If possible, test the various alarms to make sure everyone in your home can hear them.
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Step 5
Consider a smoke alarm system, which connects all the alarms together by wire, so that when one goes off, it sets off the rest of the home's alarms, as well. These are especially valuable in big homes, where occupants are spread out and may not all be close to any one smoke alarm.
