Is Your Smoke Alarm Working?
When was the last time you tested your smoke alarm? It is one of the smallest items in your home and is very important to maintain. The National Fire Protection Association mentions shocking statistics when it comes to fire safety and smoke alarms.
- Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms.
- More than one-third (38 percent) of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present.
- The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.
What Should A Homeowner Do To Maintain Their Smoke Alarms?
*Know proper placement. Locations are usually mentioned in the package when you buy a smoke alarm. Most brands are very detailed where they should be installed along with proper measurements such as ceiling clearance and proper distances. So then, you want to pay close attention to the instructions included with the smoke alarm you purchase. For reviews on smoke alarms, see the Best Reviews list for June 2019.
*Install combo alarms. Houses should have a carbon monoxide/smoke alarm combo always in or near the mechanical room (furnace room). The combo alarm should also be installed for the hallway and the kitchen area if you have a gas range or appliance. This provides added safety in detecting carbon monoxide emissions from the furnace or gas range.
*Check battery life. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) recommends testing your smoke alarms monthly and replacing the battery at least once per year. However, you definitely should replace the battery if/when an alarm fails its monthly test. USFA also recommends replacing your smoke alarm unit after 10yrs.
For more information around smoke alarms and other general questions concerning fire prevention, visit https://www.usfa.fema.gov and https://www.nfpa.org .
Request an Electrician
If you have smoke alarms that need to be replaced we recommend contacting an electrician. Some smoke alarms are hard-wired and require licensed professionals for replacement or installation. Also, contact us and ask about wireless smoke alarm options! Want to know what customers think of In The Light Electrical, LLC? Check out our reviews on Facebook and Google. You can also view our customer recommendations on Nextdoor.