One of the most important tools in everyone’s home is a smoke detector. The low battery chirp in the middle of the night might drive you insane, but knowing that your alarms are functioning properly can be life saving.
Whether you have just purchased a new home in Locust Grove or are happily settled in your home elsewhere, consistent maintenance of your smoke detectors is a must! We rely on smoke detectors to give everyone in the house warning to the presence of fire. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, working smoke detectors cut the risk of death in a fire in half. See if you know the answers to these questions about smoke detectors.
How old are your smoke detectors? Smoke detectors don’t have an infinite lifespan. They are good for ten years and then need to be replaced. Check all of the alarms in your home. The back of the alarm has the manufacture date. You can also write in the installation date of new smoke detectors with marker to help you remember when it is time to replace the smoke detectors.
How often should I test a smoke detector? You should test them at least once a month.
Do I need to change the battery in a hard wired system? Yes! You should change the battery in a hard wired system once a year. The battery serves as backup in case the power goes out in your home.
What rooms need smoke detectors? Every level of your home should have at least one. Each bedroom should have its own alarm along with an additional one in the hallway. This is necessary since closed doors can slow smoke from entering the space. If you are inside the room, you may not realize the presence of smoke.
Are there different types of smoke detectors? Yes! Ionization alarms are awesome at finding fast flaming fires like the ones caused by easily combustible materials like paper or grease. Photoelectric alarms sense the smoke from smoldering objects. The packaging on a new smoke detector will identify the type; there are dual smoke detectors that sense both.
What if I don’t have any alarms in my house? No one should be without smoke detectors. If you cannot finance the purchase, then please check with your local fire and rescue services. Many organizations will give you smoke detectors for free.
While you are thinking about your smoke detectors, it’s also a good idea to make sure that your carbon monoxide detectors are working as well. Any home that have gas for cooking, heating, or in a fireplace, should have these alarms as well.
