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Top Electricians » Safety Systems » Smoke Alarms

Smoke Alarms

8 people die on average every day in a home fire. This is almost 3,000 people every year. This is not a number that can be taken lightly. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has reported that roughly 2/3 of the homes where fires have occurred have had no proper working smoke detectors. This is just not acceptable in today’s world, especially when fire alarm systems are relatively inexpensive to install and maintain.

Smoke alarm installation? Submit the form on your right to receive local electrician estimates.

Smoke Alarm Tips

Here are a few tips to validate that your smoke alarm is working properly:

• There should be a smoke alarm installed inside and outside every bedroom and on every level of your home. You should also have electricians install alarms near the bathrooms, all heating appliances, windows and ceiling fans.
• Have your electrical contractor interconnect all smoke alarms so that if one goes off, people in different parts of the house will also be alerted. You can purchase wireless interconnected alarms that are battery operated. The alarm will make a chirping or beeping noise when the batteries are low. If you are using battery operated alarms then you must replace them at least once a year.
• Fire alarms MUST be tested on a monthly basis. Press the test button and make sure it works properly.
• All alarms irrespective of whether they are battery operated or not should be replaced once in 10 years at least. Please make sure you read the manufacturer’s instructions clearly about this requirement.

Fire Escape Plan

Having a fire alarm is inadequate to ensure safety. You must also devise an escape plan and make sure that every member in your home knows about it. First off, make sure that EVERYONE in your home knows what the fire alarm sounds like. It is always a good idea to walk through your home and note all possible exits. Then draw a floor plan and mark at least two ways to exit from every room.

You must also make sure that you decide on an assembly point at a safe distance from your home. This place must be permanent and easy to identify. It must also be a place where emergency services can easily see you. Also make sure that everyone in your home, especially young children, know how to call the emergency services and state the address of your home etc.

Having a fire drill at least twice a year in your home is a good idea. Although we plan these things out, we tend to forget what we have to do in times of emergency.

Need to check your smoke detectors? Submit the form on your right to receive local electrician quotes on fire alarm services.