Smoke Detector Tips & Safety

5/18/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke Detector Tips

Smoke alarms save precious minutes -- alerting families to danger before smoke and gases can overcome them. In a home fire, smoke detectors are your best protection.

Placement of smoke detectors:

• Location. Consider which parts of the house need protecting, where a fire would be most dangerous and how many units are needed. Plan one for each floor or level.
• Sleeping areas. Put a detector within 10 feet of each bedroom door, preferably in the hallway. In a hallway longer than 30 feet, install one at each end. A unit in each room provides maximum protection.
• Living room. Keep the detector away from a fireplace or wood stove to avoid false alarms.
• Hall and stairwell. Place a detector at the top of each stairwell and at each end of a long hall.
• Kitchen (eating/dining area) - Keep detector away from cooking fumes.
• Basement. Mount a detector on the ceiling/beam at the bottom of the stairs, away from the exhaust of a heating unit.

Installation:

• Read the installation instructions that come with the detector.
• Keep units 6 inches away from the dead air space near walls and corners.
• If mounted on a wall, place unit 6-12 inches below the ceiling and away from a corner.
• Do not place a detector closer than 3 feet from an air register that might re-circulate smoke.
• Do not place a unit on an un-insulated exterior wall or ceiling.
• Place smoke detectors at least 3 feet from ceiling fans.

Maintenance:

• Check the alarm every 30 days. Push test button.
• Replace batteries twice a year.
• Clean the detector's face and grill to remove dust or grease.
• Keep spare batteries on hand.
• Follow manufacturer's instructions.
• Replace expired smoke detectors with "10-year sealed" units.

Remember, from the time a fire starts, family members have less than 4 minutes to escape. Do not attempt to extinguish a fire unless it can be put out in a few seconds.