HomeMy WebLinkAboutSmoke Alarms - A Sound You Can Live With
SMOKE ALARMS
“A SOUND YOU CAN LIVE WITH”
Smoke Alarms save lives, but only if they are in working order and installed in the right locations.
Ask yourself the following questions:
1) How many detectors are in your home? Smoke alarms should be placed on each level of the
home and outside all sleeping areas. For maximum protection smoke alarms should also be
placed in the bedrooms.
2) How often are they tested? Smoke alarms should be tested in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions when available or once a month by pushing the test button and
listing for the alarm.
3) When is the last time you maintained your smoke alarm? Battery powered alarms need
their batteries changed twice per year. A good time to do this is when you change your clocks
for daylight savings. They also need to be cleaned regularly but no less than every 6 months. A
careful vacuuming can keep your alarm in good shape. Unfortunately they do not last forever,
so replace them at least every 10 years. Remember that electrical powered alarms need the
power to be turned on to work.
4) Did my alarm sound when I tested it? If the answer was no think about the following;
Possible Causes Action
Dead battery Replace battery immediately
No electricity Check fuse box/breaker panel or contact an electrician
Smoke alarm dead Replace the entire alarm immediately
There are two basic types of smoke alarms for home use, Ionization and Photoelectric. Ionization alarms
monitor ions – electrically charged particles. The alarm sounds when the change in electrical balance
reaches a pre-set level. Photoelectric alarms use a beam of light and a light sensor to detect smoke. The
alarm sounds when the smoke density reaches a pre-set level. Make sure whatever type you use that they
have a CSA (Canadian Standards Association) or ULC (Underwriters Laboratory of Canada) listing on the
alarm.
Most fatal home fires happen at night when people are sleeping and most people believe that smoke will
wake them up, but this is not true. Smoke and poisonous gases from fires will put you into a deeper sleep
and you risk death without a smoke alarm to warn you. In addition children will not react to a smoke
alarm in the night, you need to train them on how to react and how to escape. Having proper working and
placed smoke alarms in your home will reduce your risk of dying in a fire by half.
When your alarm sounds get out and stay out. Have an escape plan and practice it with your entire family.
Remember that you only have about one minute to escape your home if a fire breaks out and that a fire can
double in size every 30 seconds.
Keith R. Martin
Manager of Fire and Emergency Services
County of Newell
Rev. January 13, 2014