Skip to main content

GreeleyCO.gov, a New Website Built for You

Welcome to the new City of Greeley website. We are currently in a soft launch and are continuing to improve the upgraded site. Thank you for your patience as we work through the final stages of development.

Take our feedback survey

Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Detector Information

Did you know that most fires in the US occur in a home?

Over 370,000 fires occur each year in homes across the country. Given how much time is spent at home, it’s important to be prepared in case a fire happens.

Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors Save Lives!

Having working smoke alarms can reduce the chances of dying in a home fire by 60%! In fact, more than a third of home fire fatalities over a recent 4-year period occurred in homes without any smoke alarms! Ensuring that smoke alarms and CO detectors are working is one of the most important steps to make a home safer. These devices give the early notice needed to exit the building quickly in the case of a fire or CO leak, which in some cases is as little as 2 minutes. Make sure there are enough detectors placed in the right locations and regularly tested and maintained.

How many of each detector do I need in my home?

Each detector needs to be placed in a location where it can sense hazards before they enter sensitive areas. At a minimum, it is recommended that smoke alarms are installed:

  • On every level of the residence, including the basement.
  • Inside every bedroom.
  • Outside each individual sleeping area (like in the hallway).

Smoke alarms should be installed on the ceiling or high on the wall to detect smoke as it rises. It’s also a good idea to keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen and bathroom, so they don’t accidentally go off from cooking fumes or steam. If you’re unsure of where to place them, consult the detector’s instructions for the best placement.

At a minimum, one CO detector should be placed on each floor of the residence, especially when that floor has a fuel-burning appliance like a furnace or gas oven. Typically, CO detectors are placed lower to the floor than smoke alarms, but you should consult the detector’s packaging to find the best place for that specific model.

How often should detectors be tested?

Check all detectors once a month to ensure they are in good working order. Most detectors can be tested by pressing the “test” button on the front face of the device.

How often should I change my batteries?

Smoke alarms will let you know when their batteries need to be changed by making a “chirping” sound. That sound means it is a great time to change the battery. It is recommended to change the batteries on a regular schedule to avoid the chirping indicator.

For models using replaceable batteries, it is recommended to change batteries once a year. A good reminder-- change batteries in detectors when changing clocks during daylight savings time in November. Some companies now offer smoke detectors with sealed, “10-year” batteries that don’t need to be changed for the life of the detector. Consider that as an option if changing your smoke detector batteries has been a hassle in the past!

How often should I replace my detectors?

Most detectors are designed to work for 10 years. It is recommended that it be replaced at 10 years or once the detector reaches the expiration date noted on the device, whichever comes sooner. Looking for more information? Please visit these links for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Need help with smoke detectors in a home?

Please visit any of the fire station web pages listed and contact the closest station to schedule a time for local fire crew to assist. Please note that firefighters are unable to change detectors that require a new wiring harness as they are not trained to do so.