Guest post by Miriam Bennison, Fire and Safety Assistant
Ever notice everywhere you go there are smoke detectors? Ever wonder if you should have one in your home and if so how to operate it? Allow me to assist you in determining the best method to protect you and your family regarding smoke detectors.
What to buy: There are two kinds of smoke detectors available, ionic and photo. Both are easy to find in general hardware stores, and many stores sell combination smoke detectors. Both kinds of smoke detectors are good for the homes and studies show that neither one is better than the other. It may seem overwhelming to decide on what kind of smoke detector to get, but remember you can always go with the combination type so that you never have to worry about if you made the right choice.
Where to install: When installing a smoke detector do not put it in the kitchen or too close to the kitchen, or you may set off false alarms with the heat and smokes from ordinary cooking. According to the National Fire Prevention Association the best location for a smoke detector is on the ceiling near a doorway or stairway where smoke often gathers. You should also have a smoke detector on the hallway ceiling outside of bedrooms.
How to maintain: Now that you have decided to purchase a smoke detector, remember that it must be maintained regularly in order for it to be effective. Inside every smoke detector box there is the manufacturer’s guidelines to cleaning and testing the specific device. It is important to conduct the regular scheduled cleaning and testing to ensure the device is functioning properly. Cleaning it may be as easy as just wiping it down to minimize dust. Testing a smoke detector typically means checking the battery to ensure that if it needs to activate it will have the power to do so. Cleaning and testing is relatively easy, but, when in doubt, feel free to either call the manufacturer or ask a professional safety person like myself or your local firehouse. A good idea that many people use is to test their smoke detector batteries twice a year when we change the clocks due to daylight savings time.
Smoke detectors are an inexpensive way to keep you and your family safe. Nobody ever knows when a fire or smoke situation is going to happen, but with a smoke detector as protection, you have peace of mind that you and your family will be safe.