According to the U.S. Fire Administration, people should test their smoke alarms monthly.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends three essential steps to take to reduce the likelihood of having a fire — and how to escape safely if necessary.

Look

Look for places fire could start. Take a good look around your home. Identify potential fire hazards and address of them.

Listen

Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm. You could have only minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Identify an outside meeting place and make sure everyone in your household knows where it is. It should be a safe distance from the home.

Learn

Learn two ways out of every room and make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily and are free of clutter.

If you need a smoke alarm, call the Smoke Alarm Hotline at 414-286-8980. Arrangements will be made for Milwaukee firefighters to come to your residence and install a smoke alarm free of charge.