Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors just by themselves SAVE LIVES! Did you know that A PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND WORKING smoke detector in any home WILL save your LIFE AND YOUR FAMILY’S?

YES, it is true.  Here are some tips and information that you should be aware of:

CHOOSING THE RIGHT ALARM

• Smoke alarms come as household current with a battery back up, battery only, or lithium 10 year battery.
• You can also purchase alarms that are extra loud with flashing strobes for the hearing impaired.
• Whichever one you purchase MAKE SURE everyone sleeping in your home can hear the smoke alarm once activated!

HOW MANY ALARMS DO I NEED?

You should install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and every bedroom in your home.

• In all new construction, it is required to have all the alarms tied together so if one sounds they all sound!
• On floors without bedrooms, install alarms near hallways, stairways, living rooms, family rooms, or den’s.
• We also recommend installing detectors in utility rooms.

Here is an example of how many for this home:

• Upper floor has 3 bedrooms with a long hallway and stairs
• 1 in each room and 1 at stairway = 4 detectors on upper floor
• Main floor has kitchen, dining room and living room
• 1 in dining room, 1 in living room, and 1 at bottom of stairs = 3 detectors on  main floor
• Basement has utility room, family room, and one bedroom
• 1 in utility room, 1 in bedroom, and 1 in family room = 3 detectors in basement area
• All together there are 10 detectors for this example.

Use this example to make sure your home has the right number of detectors.

WHERE SHOULD I INSTALL THE SMOKE DETECOR?

• Use the information above to get location and remember to install as high as possible. (Smoke rises and if the detector is mounted too low accidental trips can occur.)
• In bedrooms mount on ceilings away from heat or vent registers and close to door.
• In a hallway if detector needs to be mounted on the wall make sure it is no more than 12 inches from the ceiling.
• In a vaulted ceiling area, mount the detector at its highest point.
• In stairways mount the detector at the bottom of stairs  
• DO NOT INSTALL detectors in or close to:
• Kitchen areas
• Garages
• Windows
• Outside doors
• Forced air registers
These areas can cause detectors to go off accidentally and also cause damage to the sensors due to dust, cooking particles and/or fumes from your car (if installed in the garage).
• Always follow the manufacturers instructions in any installation.
• Have a qualified electrician install hard wired detectors into your house wiring.
• Never install hard wired detectors to an outlet that could be a switched outlet, or ground fault circuit interrupter.

MAINTAENCE

• Replace batteries, if required, twice a year.  The phrase “spring ahead” and “fall back” are great times to change.  NEVER borrow a battery from a detector to use in a detector always replace with fresh!
• Test all alarms monthly, or more frequent if manufacturer recommends to do so.
• Clean all detectors regularly per the manufacturers instructions. This usually can be done with a vacuum cleaner without removing the cover.
• Never paint smoke detectors, remove detectors if painting and reinstall immediately after painting is done.
• If your detector is over 10 years old replace it, they do not last forever!