A working smoke alarm is one of the cheapest safety devices in a home, and fire experts say placement and upkeep matter as much as owning one. Modern furnishings let fires spread faster than they once did, so early warning is essential.
Where to put them
- In each bedroom.
- In the hallway or area just outside where people sleep.
- On every floor, basement included.
On floors without bedrooms, fire safety guidance suggests a main living space or a spot near the staircase to the next floor. Mount alarms on the ceiling or high on a wall, no more than 12 inches below the ceiling, because smoke rises. Keep them at least 10 feet from cooking appliances to cut false alarms, and away from windows, doors and ducts where drafts can interfere.
Choosing the type
There are two basic technologies. Ionization alarms tend to react faster to flaming fires and photoelectric alarms to smoldering ones, so the recommendation is to use both, or dual-sensor models. Interconnected alarms are best because when one sounds, they all sound, and wireless versions make that easier in existing homes. Mixing brands can prevent interconnection from working.
Keeping them working
- Test every alarm once a month with the test button.
- Replace the whole alarm every 10 years, counted from the manufacture date.
- With a standard battery, replace the battery at least once a year. With a sealed 10-year battery, replace the whole alarm if it chirps for low power.
- Never paint an alarm or cover it with stickers or decorations.
- Do not remove the battery when cooking sets it off. Use the hush button, open a window or move the alarm farther from the kitchen.
A national survey of home fires found interconnected alarms were more likely to sound and alert people than non-connected ones, so interconnection is worth the extra step.
Filed under: Washington DC Home & Garden News
