Need an easy way to remember when to replace the batteries in your smoke alarm? Change your batteries when you reset your clocks -- twice each year.
Smoke inhalation is responsible for 75 percent of fire deaths.
Smoke alarms are affordable, effective devices that help ensure you and your family are safe if fire strikes your home. Proper installation and maintenance of smoke alarms throughout your home are essential to ensure your safety. If you own a business and need assistance with a fire alarm system, contact our Fire Prevention Bureau to schedule an inspection.
Types and Costs
There are two types of smoke alarms used in homes -- ionization and photoelectric alarms. An ionization smoke alarm sounds if smoke interrupts an electric current inside the detector. Photoelectric alarms sound when smoke particles redirect a beam of light inside the alarm.
Smoke alarms are powered by batteries, electricity or both and range in price from $10 to $40 depending on the type and brand of alarm you buy. Some alarms are hard-wired into homes, meaning they are connected to the home's electrical system, and the batteries serve as a back-up. If you live in a home, you should consider hard wiring your smoke alarm. However, you must still test your batteries to ensure the alarms will work if the power goes out.
Installation
Smoke alarms are often easily installed with a couple of screws and a screwdriver. But there's more to installing a smoke alarm than simply screwing it into a bedroom or hallway ceiling. Here are some quick tips for installing and maintaining smoke alarms:
- Place at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home within 15 feet of bedrooms
- Install smoke alarms three feet away from windows and air vents or ducts
- Do not install a smoke alarm between an air duct vent and a door
- Do not install a smoke alarm in the kitchen or any room where steam or smoke can cause repeated false alarms
- Test smoke alarms every month by pushing their test buttons.
- Replace smoke alarm batteries every six months. Many alarms beep or chirp when their batteries get low or the alarm malfunctions.
- Read the instructions to determine when to replace your smoke alarm. Alarms are, in general, good for 10 years.
Other Ideas to Consider
Smoke alarm technology improves every year. New alarms come out often, and you should carefully consider your choices to ensure you obtain the best protection for your home or business at at price you can afford.
A new, longer lasting battery is now available at many hardware stores -- a 10 year battery. This battery costs $6-$10, less than $1 per year of its expected life. That lifetime is roughly equal to the lifetime of the smoke alarm.
Another smoke alarm is available that can be screwed into a light socket.A bulb can then be placed underneath the alarm. This alarm is marketed for use in work rooms, such as garages. The alarm draws power from the outlet and charges its battery. This alarm cannot be covered with a light fixture and has a specific use. Be sure to carefully read the instructions that come with it before you consider using it in your home. These alarms cost about $40.
The ideal home will have smoke alarms strategically placed near bedrooms and common rooms. These alarms will be wired into the home's electrical system and also have working batteries. Ideally, the alarms are wired together so that if an alarm goes off on one floor of the home, the other alarms are triggered as well to ensure everyone in the home knows there may be a fire.
Our Fire Prevention Bureau can provide more information to assist you in making your home safe.
