Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work For You
October is National Fire Prevention Week and in 2024, we’re focusing on working smoke alarms. You could have as little as two minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.
How to Choose an Alarm
• It is important to purchase a smoke alarm that is listed by a qualified testing laboratory. The two most common types of smoke alarms are ionization and photoelectric alarms.
• For the best protection, or where extra time is needed to wake up or help others, both types of alarms or dual sensor ionization photoelectric alarms are recommended.
• An ionization smoke alarm is more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is more responsive to smoldering fires.
• Photoelectric smoke alarms are the best type of alarm to be installed near the kitchen and bathrooms to reduce nuisance alarms.
Installation
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home. Avoid installation in bathrooms or in kitchens less than 10 feet from cooking surfaces to prevent false or nuisance alarms from shower steam or cooking smoke.
• When installing, follow the instructions that come with the smoke alarm.
• For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms. When one sounds, they all sound. It is important to have interconnected smoke alarms if you sleep with the bedroom doors closed.
• A smoke alarm should be mounted in the middle of a ceiling or high on a wall at least 3 feet from a corner and 12 inches from the ceiling.
Testing and Maintenance
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning to keep smoke alarms working.
Replacement
• Smoke alarms with nonreplaceable (long-life) batteries are designed to remain effective
• for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low in an out-of-date alarm, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.
• For smoke alarms that do not have non-replaceable (long-life) batteries, replace batteries twice a year. An easy way to remember is to replace them every Daylight Savings Time. If the alarm chirps, replace only the battery.
When an Alarm Sounds
Never ignore the sound of the smoke alarm. If the smoke alarm is sounding, there is a reason. When a smoke alarm sounds, go outside and stay outside. Call 911 and report the alarm.
Sources: nfpa.org, firstalert.com
Comments