4 Tips for Maintaining Your Smoke Alarms

6/27/2022 (Permalink)

A properly working fire alarm is key for keeping you safe from flames.

Fire Alarm Tips

Millions rely on smoke detectors to alert them of a fire in their home, but are you aware of how many you'll need or how to maintain them? Here are four important fire alarm tips for preventing a disaster in your Reilly, OH, home.

1. Determine How Many You Need
First and foremost, you should determine how many smoke alarms you currently have and if you require more. Ideally, each home should be equipped with an alarm inside each bedroom and outside every sleeping area. There should be at least one on every level of a house, including basements. Do a walkthrough of your home to pinpoint alarm locations and determine if you require more.

2. Understand Which Fire Alarm Sensor You Have
There are two types of alarm sensors: photoelectric and ionization alarms. The former is geared toward detecting smoke damage and slow-smoldering fires, while the latter better detects fast-moving flames. It's advised to have both types of sensors within your house as you cannot predict which type of fire danger will occur.

3. Rotate Batteries Regularly
For optimal performance, change the batteries in every detector in your house roughly every six months. This ensures your alarm will not fail you in an emergency. If you don't follow this timeline, most models will let you know when it's time for a replacement by sounding off high-pitched beeps.

4. Keep Records of Alarm Installation
Just like their batteries, fire detectors don't last forever. It's advised to replace your alarms about every ten years, so keep a record of when they were installed to determine when it's time to replace them. Insufficient alarms can leave a fire not only endangering your family but destroying your home to the point where only fire damage restoration professionals can repair it.
A properly working fire alarm is key for keeping you safe from flames. Make sure your home has enough sensors and keep up with routine maintenance for maximum safety.