Smoke Detectors
Everyone knows how important an alarm clock is,
right? After all, virtually everyone has one in their home. But the latest
estimates from the National Fire Protection Association indicate at least 10%
of the homes in America do not have an operating smoke detector.
Some people say..."I don't need a smoke
detector. If there is a fire in the middle of the night, I'll smell the smoke
and wake up." WRONG! When you go to sleep your sense of
smell goes to sleep with you and unless the smoke is very acrid and irritates
your nostrils as you breathe, you may not wake up at all.
Smoke created by fire contains a deadly gas
called carbon monoxide. This deadly gas is odorless and colorless, you can't
see it, taste it or smell it. As you breathe, it puts you into a deeper sleep.
It can kill you before you know it.
Although we like to feel safe at home, most
fatal fires occur at night when people are sleeping. Most deaths occur from
inhaling smoke or poisonous gases, not from flames. A smoke detector can alert
you when there is a fire, in time to save your life.
HAVE WE GOT YOUR ATTENTION YET?
GOOD! HERE ARE SOME ANSWERS TO COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SMOKE
DETECTORS:
Why smoke detectors? Why not heat
detectors?
Smoke and deadly gases tend to spread faster and
farther than heat which is why an operating smoke detector is so important to
have. More people die from the effects of smoke and deadly gases by a margin of
2 to 1. A smoke detector will automatically sound a warning when they sense
smoke or other products of combustion. When people are warned early enough
about a fire, they can escape before it spreads.
How many smoke detectors should I
have?
At least one smoke detector outside of each
sleeping area ond one on each level of the home if you have a second floor or
basement.
Where is the proper location for the smoke
detectors?
Generally on the ceiling at least 4 inches out
from the wall. If you must install them on the wall, install them at least 4
inches down from the ceiling but no lower than 12 inches from the ceiling. Keep
them high because smoke rises. Place smoke detectors at the top of each
stairwell and at the end of each long hallway. Remember, do not place them any
closer than 3 feet of an air supply register that might recirculate smoke
resulting in a delayed alarm. Be sure to keep the detector away from fireplaces
and wood stoves to avoid false alarms.
How are smoke detectors
powered?
Some smoke detectors are powered by a 9-volt
battery, some are powered by the home's electrical system, and some are the
combination of both. That is, they are wired into the home's electrical system
and equipped with a 9-volt battery back-up.
Who should install my smoke
detector?
If you elect to purchase smoke detectors that are
to be connected to your home's electrical system, you should have a qualified
electrician install them. If you purchase those that are soley battery powered,
you can install them yourself with a screwdriver and a drill, but install them
according to the manufacturer's instructions.
What about
maintenance?
Keeping smoke detectors in good condition is easy.
Change the battery (if equipped) at least once a year or sooner if the smoke
detector signals a low battery. Clean the detector face and grillwork often to
remove dust. Test your smoke detector at least weekly. Always follow the
manufacturer's instructions.
After they are installed, then
what?
Test them and make sure they work. Everyone in
your household should be aware of what they sound like and know what to do if
they hear that noise. Have escape routes and a designated meeting place.
How do I test my smoke
detector?
Push the test button or test them with smoke. If
you test them with smoke, use a match or candle. Blow out the flame and let the
smoke drift up into the smoke detector. Never test the smoke detector with a
flame!
What is that chirping
noise?
That noise, usually every 60 seconds or so, is
indicative of a battery that is going dead. This signals you to change the
battery as soon as possible. That signal may last for a couple of days, but
once the battery is dead you will have no protection at all.
How do I prevent that annoying false
alarm?
If you are getting false alarms, try moving your
smoke detector farther from the kitchen or bathroom area and closer to the
bedroom area. There are smoke detctors on the market that are specifically
designed for kitchen or bathroom area use. Regular smoke detectors are too
sensitive for these areas and cause annoying false alarms.