Protect
Yourself and Your Family Today!
In the event of a
fire, properly installed and maintained smoke alarms will provide an early
warning alarm to your household. This alarm could save your own life and those
of your loved ones by providing the chance to escape.
Why Should My Home
Have Smoke Alarms?
In the event of a fire, a smoke alarm
can save your life and those of your loved ones. They are a very important
means of preventing house and apartment fire fatalities by providing an early
warning signal -- so you and your family can escape. Smoke alarms are one of
the best safety devices you can buy and install to protect yourself, your
family, and your home.
What Types of Smoke
Alarms Are Available?
There are many different brands of
smoke alarms available on the market but they fall under two basic types:
ionization and photoelectric.
Ionization alarms sound more quickly
when a flaming, fast moving fire occurs. Photoelectric alarms are
quicker at sensing smoldering, smoky fires. There are also combination smoke
alarms that combine ionization and photoelectric into one unit, called dual
sensor smoke alarms.
Because both ionization and
photoelectric smoke alarms are better at detecting distinctly different yet
potentially fatal fires, and because homeowners cannot predict what type of
fire might start in a home, the USFA recommends the installation of both
ionization and photoelectric or dual sensor smoke alarms.
In addition to the basic types of
alarms, there are alarms made to meet the needs of people with hearing
disabilities. These alarms may use strobe lights that flash and/or vibrate to
assist in alerting those who are unable to hear standard smoke alarms when they
sound.
Okay, Where Do I Put
Them?
Install smoke alarms on every level of
your home, including the basement. Many fatal fires begin late at night or in
the early morning. For extra safety, install smoke alarms both inside and
outside sleeping areas. Since smoke and many deadly gases rise, installing your
smoke alarms at the proper level will provide you with the earliest warning
possible. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Where Would I Get
Smoke Alarms?
Many hardware, home supply, or general
merchandise stores carry smoke alarms. If you are unsure where to buy one in your
community, call your local fire department (on a nonemergency telephone number)
and they will provide you with some suggestions. Some fire departments offer
smoke alarms for little or no cost.
Are Smoke Alarms Hard
to Install?
If your smoke alarms are hard wired,
that is wired into the electrical system, you will need to have a qualified
electrician do the initial installation or install replacements. For
battery powered smoke alarms, all you will need for installation is a screw
driver. Some brands are self adhesive and will easily stick to the wall or
ceiling where they are placed. For all smoke alarm installations, be sure
you follow the manufacturer’s instructions because there are differences
between the various brands. If you are uncomfortable standing on a
ladder, ask a relative or friend for help. Some fire departments will install a
smoke alarm in your home for you. Call your local fire department (on a
non-emergency telephone number) if you have problems installing a smoke alarm.
Helpful
Tip
Pick a holiday or
your birthday and replace the batteries each year on that day.
If your smoke alarm
starts making a "chirping" noise, replace the batteries and reset it.
How Do I Keep My
Smoke Alarm Working?
If you have a smoke alarm with
batteries:
1. Smoke Alarms powered
by long-lasting batteries are designed to replace the entire unit according to
manufacturer’s instructions.
2. In standard type
battery powered smoke alarms, the batteries need to be replaced at least once
per year and the whole unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.
3. In hard-wired,
battery back up smoke alarms, the batteries need to be checked monthly, and
replaced at least once per year. The entire unit should be replaced every 8-10
years.
What if the Alarm
Goes Off While I’m Cooking?
Then it’s doing its job. Do not disable
your smoke alarm if it alarms due to cooking or other non-fire causes. You may
not remember to put the batteries back in the alarm after cooking.
Instead clear the air by waving a towel near the alarm, leaving the batteries
in place. The alarm may need to be moved to a new location. Some of the newer
models have a “hush” button that silences nuisance alarms.
How Long will my
Smoke Alarm Last?
Most alarms installed today have a life
span of about 8-10 years. After this time, the entire unit should be replaced.
It is a good idea to write the date of purchase with a marker on the inside of
your alarm so you will know when to replace it. Some of the newer alarms
already have the purchase date written inside. In any event, always follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for replacement.
Anything Else I
Should Know?
Some smoke alarms are considered to be
“hard-wired.” This means they are connected to the household electrical system
and may or may not have battery backup. It’s important to test every smoke
alarm monthly and replace the batteries with new ones at least once a
year.
The U.S. Fire
Administration would like to remind you of some important fire safety and
prevention information.
- Plan and practice escape plans
several times a year.
- Make sure your whole family knows
when and how to call emergency telephone numbers.
- Obtain and learn how to use a fire
extinguisher.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors.
- Consider installing residential
fire sprinklers in your home.
Contact your local
fire department on a non-emergency phone number if you need help or have
questions about fire safety in your home.
From:
U.S. Fire Administration/FEMA
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