It’s one of the most frightening experiences a homeowner can face—a fire within the home. Fires can start in a matter of seconds and are usually completely unexpected.
How can you stay safe? The number one way to protect your home is with smoke alarms. They’ll alert you if smoke or fire is detected so you can exit the home quickly.
However, do you know how often to get a smoke detector service done? And do you know which rooms of the home should always have a smoke detector?
If not, keep reading to find out a few key facts about smoke alarms within your home.
Kitchen
Fires within the home are most likely to start in the kitchen. This makes sense, since it’s where we cook, prepare food, and use lots of electrical appliances.
For this reason, it’s essential to consider putting a smoke alarm in your home’s kitchen. You might want to keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen too, in case a fire does occur.
To reduce your fire risk, always remain in the kitchen while using the stove, oven, toaster, and microwave, watching out for any issues.
Bedrooms
Each bedroom of the home should have it’s own smoke alarm, as it will protect your family while they sleep. Ideally, these smoke alarms should also detect carbon dioxide, which can be a silent killer.
Hallways
It’s recommended to install a smoke alarm on each level of your home. Usually, the hallways are a good place for this.
If they’re installed in the middle of the hallway, this will give them the best chance of picking up any smoke.
Near Heat Sources
Many people neglect this, but you want to have a smoke alarm near any sources of heat—since they’re at higher risk of starting a fire.
Think about your heat stove, fireplace, and furnace, all common places a fire can start.
Another heat source to think about is your dryer. If dryer lint traps aren’t cleaned regularly, they can overheat and start a fire, so a smoke alarm in the basement or laundry room is smart.
How Often Do Homes Need a Smoke Detector Service?
Wondering when to get your smoke detector serviced? Ideally, experts say they should be checked every six months, ensuring everything is working correctly.
If you don’t have time to service them yourself, a company like The 99 People can help.
Keep Your Family Safe With Smoke Alarm Installation
With correct smoke detector service and placement, you can keep your family safe from fires and smoke. As a homeowner, it’s usually a legal requirement to have working smoke alarms in your home, so make sure you have enough for your home’s size.
Then, make a schedule to check them regularly, ensuring the batteries are still working and the alarms are loud enough to be heard. That way, you’ll enjoy peace of mind, knowing your loved ones will be safe in case a fire occurs.
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