Each year, there are more than 340,000 home fires in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association. These fires cause billions of dollars in damage and result in thousands of injuries and deaths. Properly installed smoke alarms are your first line of defense. Follow these tips:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends installing smoke alarms both inside and outside of sleeping areas.

• Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions when installing smoke alarms.

• Test smoke alarms every month to make sure they’re operating correctly.

• Replace batteries in battery-powered smoke alarms at least once a year (unless otherwise specified by the battery or smoke alarm manufacturer).

• Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.

Preparing a family escape plan is critical. Find two ways to escape from each room and locate a family meeting place outside the home in case of a fire. Make sure every family member knows the escape routes and meeting place, and regularly practice your fire escape plan with your entire household.

For more information about protecting your home and family, see Home Fires from Ready.gov.