Smoke detectors are 100% one of the most important safety measures in your home when it comes to your family’s safety. It is critical to realize that a smoke alarm is one of the inexpensive ways to protect your family from fire and smoke, as well as safeguarding your home investment. Smoke detectors can help alert you to a fire minutes before a person could, and therefore allow your family the time they need to get out and get safe.
Where to Put Your Smoke Alarms
According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), smoke detectors should be placed in every families bedroom and on each floor of your house, including your basement or attic. Smoke detectors need to be tested at least every month and check that the batteries are replaced every year as well. In addition, you should try to replace your smoke detectors every ten years from the time of it being manufactured to ensure it is functional and operating correctly. 3 out of 5 home deaths from fire result from fires on properties that do not have operational smoke alarms.
How to Check Your Detector
You should review the manufacturer’s directions for the proper steps of testing your specific smoke detector. Most battery-powered or hardwired detectors can be tested as shown below:
Step 1 – Let your family know you are testing the alarm. Smoke detectors always use a high-pitched alarm that often frightens small children and adults alike. Be courteous and let everyone know when you plan to test the alarm so as to not scare anyone.
Step 2 – Look over your smoke alarms. Look for any apparent damage to them. Also look for dust or other things that might prevent the smoke detector from working properly.
Step 3 – Have al least one family member stand at the farthest point away from the alarm in the house. You want to make sure the alarm can be heard anywhere in your home by anyone. Its a great idea to install extra detectors in any place where the alarm’s sound may be low, soft, or weak.
Step 4 – To test the sound press and hold the test button on the bottom of the detector. It can take a second to start, but you should then hear a loud siren sfrom the detector while the button is being pushed. If you can't hear a sound coming from the alarm when pushing in the button, it is time to replace the batteries. If it has been more than 6 months since you replaced the batteries its a good idea to change them regardless of the testing.
It is important to remember that all electronic devices are not full proof; batteries will die, and other components of the smoke detector can and will wear out over time. Conducting a routine test can help your family stay safe should there ever be a real fire in your house. If you do experience fire damage in your home, call Spectrum Cleaning and Restoration of SWFL. Our talented team of experts is here 24/7/365 to help put your home and life back together again.
Fort Myers, FL - Regularly Test Your Smoke Detectors to Keep Your Family Safe
SYNOPSIS: Smoke detectors are 100% one of the most important safety measures in your home when it comes to your family’s safety. It is critical to realize that a smoke alarm is one of the inexpensive ways to protect your family from fire and smoke, as well as
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Smoke detectors are 100% one of the most important safety measures in your home when it comes to your family’s safety. It is critical to realize that a smoke alarm is one of the inexpensive ways to protect your family from fire and smoke, as well as safeguarding your home investment. Smoke detectors can help alert you to a fire minutes before a person could, and therefore allow your family the time they need to get out and get safe.
Where to Put Your Smoke Alarms
According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), smoke detectors should be placed in every families bedroom and on each floor of your house, including your basement or attic. Smoke detectors need to be tested at least every month and check that the batteries are replaced every year as well. In addition, you should try to replace your smoke detectors every ten years from the time of it being manufactured to ensure it is functional and operating correctly. 3 out of 5 home deaths from fire result from fires on properties that do not have operational smoke alarms.
How to Check Your Detector
You should review the manufacturer’s directions for the proper steps of testing your specific smoke detector. Most battery-powered or hardwired detectors can be tested as shown below:
Step 1 – Let your family know you are testing the alarm. Smoke detectors always use a high-pitched alarm that often frightens small children and adults alike. Be courteous and let everyone know when you plan to test the alarm so as to not scare anyone.
Step 2 – Look over your smoke alarms. Look for any apparent damage to them. Also look for dust or other things that might prevent the smoke detector from working properly.
Step 3 – Have al least one family member stand at the farthest point away from the alarm in the house. You want to make sure the alarm can be heard anywhere in your home by anyone. Its a great idea to install extra detectors in any place where the alarm’s sound may be low, soft, or weak.
Step 4 – To test the sound press and hold the test button on the bottom of the detector. It can take a second to start, but you should then hear a loud siren sfrom the detector while the button is being pushed. If you can't hear a sound coming from the alarm when pushing in the button, it is time to replace the batteries. If it has been more than 6 months since you replaced the batteries its a good idea to change them regardless of the testing.
It is important to remember that all electronic devices are not full proof; batteries will die, and other components of the smoke detector can and will wear out over time. Conducting a routine test can help your family stay safe should there ever be a real fire in your house. If you do experience fire damage in your home, call Spectrum Cleaning and Restoration of SWFL. Our talented team of experts is here 24/7/365 to help put your home and life back together again.
