Tip of The Month - Smoke Detectors

Importance of Having a Smoke Detector in Your Home

A smoke detector is a very important asset to fire safety in homes today. House fires have risen at an alarming rate in the past few years, half of which were fatal.

Some older homes only have one or two battery operated smoke detectors throughout the whole house. People usually forget to change the battery, or even test the smoke detector for that matter. Tests should be performed monthly.

In the mid 80's, contractors started installing hard-wired smoke detectors in new homes. Nowadays, it is code for smoke detectors to be hard-wired, interconnected, and have a battery back up for good and obvious reasons.

The interconnected hard-wired smoke detectors with battery back up sound off all together, unlike the battery operated and single hard-wired smoke detectors which sound off when smoke reaches each individual device.

There is more to checking a smoke detector than just pushing the test button. Dust, dirt, and small insects can sometimes cause smoke detector malfunctions. They should also be cleaned periodically. Smoke detectors should not be taken lightly, they could save your life.

If you have any gas appliances or equipment in your home, it is also a great idea to install a carbon monoxide and smoke detector combination device. Along with fire, carbon monoxide is also a fatal problem in homes, especially if the system has faulty hoses or poor ventilation.

For more information or questions on different types of safety devices, give us a call at (804) 748-2213.

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