Keep Your Home & Family Safe

Smoke Alarms

Fire safety standards have greatly evolved over the years, and nowadays, it is essential that all homes are equipped with multiple smoke alarms.

In the past, it was assumed that one smoke alarm—usually located in a hallway—would provide occupants with ample warning to safely evacuate in the event of fire. Innumerable tragedies proved otherwise.

No matter when the home was built, fire officials recommend installing smoke alarms on every level of a multi-story home (including basements and cellars), in each sleeping room, and in a hallway leading to sleeping rooms.

For example, you would affix a smoke alarm to the living room ceiling near the bottom of a staircase leading to an upper level. Another alarm would be located on the ceiling at or near the top of the stairs. Be sure to include a smoke alarm in any room that could be used as a bedroom, even if it’s currently your home office or kids’ playroom.

Experts also advise against locating smoke alarms in a kitchen, garage or too close to a bathroom because you’ll be driven crazy by false alarms from cooking smoke, exhaust fumes and high humidity. Common sense dictates that smoke alarms shouldn’t be installed near windows and heat vents where circulating air could prevent them from being triggered.

New homes must include permanently wired smoke alarms that are interconnected and have battery back-ups. This is also the case in homes where permits were required for extensive remodeling or the addition of bedrooms.

On the other hand, if the remodeling project is minor and doesn’t require permits, most municipalities approve the addition of battery-powered smoke alarms that aren’t interconnected.
There’s no doubt smoke alarms protect people and property, but only if they’re properly installed and maintained.

Read then follow manufacturer’s instructions for proper installation and maintenance. Replace smoke alarm batteries every spring and fall, when you adjust your clocks for the time change. Test all smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button on the face of the alarm. (A broom handle is a great tool for reaching ceiling-mounted units.)

Most smoke alarms have a maximum service life of 10 years before they lose reliability and should be replaced. You can ascertain the age of a smoke alarm by checking the date stamp on the back of the unit.

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