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Start by making sure smoke alarms work and cover every bedroom, sleeping area, and level of the house; then plan and practice an escape route. After that, reduce everyday electrical and heating hazards and have a qualified professional assess aging or uncertain systems. An old house does not have one universal fire-safety retrofit: the right work depends on its wiring, layout, heating equipment, occupants, local requirements, and any preservation rules.
Install and maintain smoke alarms first
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) recommends smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement. Interconnected alarms sound throughout the house when one detects smoke. Place alarms on the ceiling or high on a wall, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Hardwired alarms should be installed only by qualified electricians.
Choose alarms by checking their power source, compatibility with any existing interconnection, certification by a recognized testing laboratory, and suitability for the people who need to hear or perceive them. Ask the local fire marshal which alarm type is appropriate, and follow the manufacturer’s installation and replacement instructions.
Test and replace alarms on schedule
- Test alarms monthly.
- Replace an alarm 10 years from its manufacture date, as USFA advises.
- Replace disposable 9-volt batteries at least once a year; replace backup batteries in hardwired alarms yearly.
- For sealed long-life batteries, follow the alarm manufacturer’s replacement instructions.
- Do not disable an alarm because cooking has triggered it. Use the hush feature and follow placement guidance to reduce nuisance alarms.
USFA warns: “Disabling a smoke alarm or removing the battery can be a deadly mistake.” If a resident cannot hear a standard alarm, consider an alarm with a different sound or a compatible bed shaker or strobe. Check device compatibility before adding an alert accessory.
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Make and practice a home escape plan
USFA says residents could have less than two minutes to escape a home fire once the smoke alarm sounds. That is not a guarantee about the time available in every fire; it is a reason to plan ahead and avoid delays.
- Draw a map of the home showing doors and windows.
- Identify two ways out of every room, and keep doors, windows, halls, and stairs clear.
- Choose an outdoor meeting place a safe distance from the house.
- Practice the plan with everyone who lives in the home.
- If a fire occurs, close the door behind you as you leave, get outside, and call emergency services from a safe place.
For a person who uses a wheelchair or walker, check that the device can pass through exit doorways and that the chosen route is usable. Discuss the plan with family and neighbors; contact the fire department or building manager if extra help may be needed to escape.
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- First Alert's Precision Detection advanced sensing technology complies with new industry standards to reduce cooking nuisance alarms and provides early warning in the event of a home fire emergency
- Provides reliable 2-in-1 protection against both smoke and carbon monoxide
- End-of-life warning lets you know when it’s time to replace the alarm
- Battery-operated alarm allows for easy installation and maintenance
- Test/silence button for efficient testing to ensure alarm is working properly
Reduce everyday electrical fire hazards
Use major appliances directly in wall outlets. Do not overload outlets or power strips, and replace worn, old, or damaged extension cords. Keep cords away from places where rugs or furniture can pinch them, and use bulbs that do not exceed the fixture’s rating.
USFA estimates that U.S. fire departments reported 24,200 residential-building electrical fires in 2021, causing an estimated 295 deaths, 900 injuries, and more than $1.2 billion in property loss. These are national estimates for residential-building electrical fires, not figures specific to old houses. USFA also reports that “Failure to clean (31%)” was the leading factor contributing to ignition of home clothes-dryer fires from 2018–2020.
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Have uncertain or altered wiring evaluated
The age of a house alone does not prove that its wiring is unsafe, and it does not mean the whole system must be replaced. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s 1996 explanation of wiring hazards describes how components can wear, and how older systems may be challenged by modern appliance loads. Overheating can damage insulation and lead to arcing or short circuits. That document explains a possible hazard mechanism; it is not a current estimate of fire risk in old houses.
Arrange a qualified residential electrician’s evaluation if wiring is of unknown condition, has been altered or damaged, or will be assessed before renovation. NFPA describes NFPA 73, Standard for Electrical Inspections for Existing Dwellings, as providing inspection and testing procedures for electrical fire and shock risks in existing homes, including one- and two-family dwellings. Ask which edition and local requirements apply to the project. An inspection is not the same as a predetermined repair scope: decisions about repair or replacement depend on the findings, property, and applicable requirements. Do not open electrical panels, test live circuits, or try to identify concealed wiring yourself.
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Check basements, garages, dryers, and heating equipment
Keep combustible materials at least three feet from furnaces, oil burners, wood stoves, water heaters, and other heat-generating equipment. Keep basement stairs clear and the breaker panel easy to reach. Clean the dryer’s lint filter after each use and its vent ductwork annually.
USFA recommends an interconnected smoke alarm in the basement. For a garage, it recommends a heat alarm rather than a smoke alarm because dust, fumes, insects, temperature, and humidity can cause nuisance alarms. Follow the heat-alarm manufacturer’s selection and installation guidance; hardwired units should be installed by a qualified electrician and have battery backup.
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- 2-in-1 Protection: The smoke and carbon monoxide detector is equipped with both photoelectric smoke sensor and electrochemical CO sensor that both detect smoke and dangerous CO levels
- ETL Listed: The smoke and carbon monoxide alarm meets the UL 217 & UL 2034 safety standards for your peace of mind and absolute confidence in our product
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USFA includes cleaning vents and chimneys among its heating-fire prevention topics, but its guidance does not establish one chimney inspection or cleaning interval for every house. For a fireplace, chimney, or older fuel-burning appliance, follow the appliance manufacturer’s instructions and seek property-specific maintenance advice from the local fire authority and a qualified chimney or heating professional.
Adapt protection to the people in the house
USFA reports that in 2020, U.S. adults age 65 and older had 2.5 times the fire-death risk of the total population. The figure describes that age group and year; it is not a risk estimate for an individual resident.
Make sure alarms can be perceived by everyone in the household. For someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, consider compatible vibrating pads or flashing lights. Build mobility needs into the escape plan, and discuss it with caregivers and neighbors. USFA also advises never smoking around medical oxygen and suggests using a cooking timer for people who may forget active cooking.
Check local requirements and assistance
U.S. guidance cannot determine whether a particular house meets local building or fire codes. Requirements, historic-district restrictions, and available assistance vary by location. USFA notes that some fire departments may install battery-operated alarms at no cost; ask the local department whether that service is available.
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