Fire is the leading cause of home-related injuries and deaths. Many people, however, are unaware about the importance of annual smoke alarm inspection. As a matter of fact, almost one-third of all home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms. A smoke alarm, when placed in a high location, can help prevent many of these deadly fires. In fact, smoke alarms are capable of reducing the risk of dying in a home fire by nearly half, which go beyond just protecting your belongings and help protect your loved ones and home itself.
Smoke Alarm Safety Tips
In the event of a fire, only a few minutes can make a big difference in terms of whether you can escape safely or not. So, if you want to stay in control, it’s best to be prepared. A simple way to prevent a fire is to install a smoke alarm. An alarm will let you know if a fire starts in your home or if there is danger of a fire starting. It can also help you to escape a fire if you are at home and sleeping, or if you are out and away from your home when the fire starts.
It is recommended to install a smoke alarm in each level of your home, as well as in the basement. Smoke rises, so it’s important to have an alarm that’s high up. These locations are also ideal because smoke tends to travel along the ceiling, where it can more easily reach the detector. However, if you have a low ceiling, like in a basement, it’s still important to have an alarm in that location to catch the smoke. Most fires occur in the kitchen or near the kitchen, so it is important to install a smoke alarm near the kitchen.
Annual Smoke Alarm Inspection
If your home has a working smoke alarm, you’re already halfway there when it comes to keeping your family safe from fire. However, smoke alarms don’t last forever. The good news is you can test your smoke alarms as part of your home fire safety routine to make sure they are working and will alert you if a fire starts. Test your smoke alarms every month, and change the batteries twice a year to keep them ready for emergencies. If you have multiple smoke alarms, it is recommended to test them all at the same time.
Is your fire alarm still working properly or do you need to have it replaced? If you are not sure, it may be time to have your fire alarm inspected by a professional. Smoke alarm’s effectiveness can degrade over time. You should get yours checked out by a professional every year, whether they are hardwired into your home or battery-powered. If you do this, you should be able to enjoy a restful night’s sleep. Schedule a professional smoke alarm inspection at least once a year to ensure your smoke alarms are in good working order. Hiring a professional electrician to perform the inspection will ensure everything is up to code, and give you piece of mind. Proper maintenance of your smoke alarms is the first step in preventing fires and saving lives.
