What To Know About Home Fire Alarms

1/1/2023 (Permalink)

Do you know where each fire alarm is in your home?

Do you know where each fire alarm is in your Chandler, AZ, home? Do you remember the last time you changed the batteries? If you just thought to yourself, “I have no idea,” you came to the right place. Below you will learn why detectors are so important, how many you need, and what proper maintenance looks like.

What Is the Importance of a Fire Alarm?

Fires can move slowly through a home or engulf stories within minutes, causing widespread fire damage and smoke damage. Early detection from smoke alarms and quick reaction can save precious time responding to and escaping a fire.

How Many Alarms Do You Need?
The number of necessary alarms varies due to house size and layout. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, alarms should be placed as follows:

• Install them on every level of the home.
  
• Place them inside each bedroom.
  
• Position them outside sleeping areas.
  
  

Since roughly half of home fires occur at night, alarms around sleeping areas are essential to alert you before fire and smoke reach you. Install them high up on walls or ceilings, away from fans or vents. 

What Kinds of Alarms Are There?
There are two types of smoke alarms you can purchase for your home: ionization and photoelectric. They detect different kinds of fire, so the recommendation is to install a combination of the two or dual sensor alarms. Furthermore, installing interconnected alarms allows quicker reaction time because one alarm sounding off sets off all the others to alert you to danger.

How Often Should You Replace Them?
Each fire alarm needs replacing every ten years, and batteries need to be changed yearly. They are not helpful if they do not function properly, so test each alarm monthly. Many fire departments will install smoke detectors for free, so contact your local fire department about possible assistance and questions. 
Early fire detection is imperative to the safety and survival of your family. Properly installing and maintaining smoke detectors will ensure your home’s protection.