Smoke Alarms And Fire Safety

A family’s first defense when there is a home fire is a smoke alarm if you don’t have one or the battery is dead you may be next. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) data shows that in a 5 year period dating back to 2020 house fires killed 2620 people and caused $6.9 billion in property damage.

It takes just 30 seconds for a small flame to turn into a major fire. A smoke alarm saves lives by detecting smoke giving your family time to escape.
If your family is asleep when a fire breaks out in the home a working smoke alarm may be your only warning. This guide will help you with placement of smoke alarms, how to regularly test and maintain while preventing fires.

Don’t ignore an audible alarm

Approximately 60% of deaths in home fires happen because they had no smoke alarm to warn them or the alarms they did have didn’t operate properly. Smoke alarms must have electrical power or a charged battery to function.

Treat every alarm as an emergency. Investigate each alarm even if you think it is a false alarm. Smoke alarms do just that, detect smoke. If you smell smoke go outside and call 911. Do not go back in the house unless you are instructed by emergency personnel.

Where to place smoke alarms in the house

While smoke alarms are required in hotels commercial buildings, condos and apartments they are not yet required in private homes in most states. The placement of a smoke alarm is very important. You want to install one in every bedroom, in hallways, in the living areas of the home, in your basement and in or near kitchens.

It is typically recommended to place the alarm on the ceiling or on the wall close to the ceiling. Gas companies and your local fire department are available to share local codes and provide you a plan on where best to install smoke alarms in your house.

Where not to place a smoke alarm

A smoke alarm is sensitive to things like exhaust fumes, excessive dust and moisture. Most false alarms are triggered by these factors. The National Fire Protection Association also recommends that a smoke alarm be placed at least 10 feet away from any stove and oven, microwave, grill or hot plate.

Batteries must not be removed from alarms that trigger falsely. It is recommended that the silence button be used until the alarm is placed in a better area of the house. Keep away from wall or floor vents. Do not place smoke alarms in garages or unfinished attic spaces.

Types of alarms and when to replace batteries

Most homes have a simple battery operated smoke detector while others like condos and apartments may have several smoke detectors spread throughout the rooms that are wired together and powered by 120v electricity with a battery backup. There are also smoke alarms that have a 10 year built in batteries that when expired the whole alarm is replaced.

Whichever alarm you have it must be tested regularly and the battery replaced yearly if not more. Another type of smoke alarm available will be combined with a carbon monoxide detector.

When to replace old smoke alarms

Smoke Alarms do have a manufacturers expiration dates and the National Fire Protection Association recommends that any smoke alarm that is 10 years old or more, has been damaged in any way or continuous malfunctions should be replaced with a new one. For those who cannot afford to replace or install a smoke alarm there are local and state programs in most locals that will provide one free of charge contact your local city or county offices for more information.

Each city and state has regulations and laws governing smoke alarms and the responsibility of landlords to provide working smoke detectors in their buildings. If your landlord refuses or has not provided a working smoke detector in your home in a timely manner contact your local government building codes department and report them.

Smoke detectors when traveling

The last thing just about anyone thinks of when traveling is “Does this smoke alarm work?”. We assume that everything in our hotel room or vacation home is working.

The fact is some hotels neglect to maintain smoke alarms even though states perform inspections on a regular basis.. You can’t depend on someone else for your safety. When it comes to fire protection. It is best to be proactive.

If you can access the smoke alarm in your hotel room or vacation rental test it. Every smoke alarm has a test button. If you don’t feel comfortable call the front desk or host and have them test it.

Some rentals may have heat sensors only or a combination of smoke detectors and heat sensors. Heat sensors are monitored so don’t touch them. Most hotel smoke detectors look just like the one you have at home. If you have a question about either one call the front desk or host.

Alarms need regular maintenance

You alarms need to be maintained so if or when there is a fire they work and give you early warning. Change the batteries on a regular basis. Spray dust from the outside and inside with canned air. Wipe the exterior clean with a slightly damp rag following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Follow this guide and make sure that your family is protect just in case the unthinkable happens.

By Peter Carr