House fires, or any other type of property fire, are all but a laughing matter.

Better safe than sorry definitely applies in this case, meaning it’s wise to protect yourself against the risks rather than be careless. 

If not intentional and controlled, fire can be very dangerous and lethal. Sadly, most house fire victims were either asleep or rendered unaware—mostly by smoke. This makes smoke detectors a must-have gadget in your home. However, their effectiveness diminishes when they’re not used properly. 

This guide will discuss fire safety tips and how to use smoke detectors effectively, thus lowering any risks typically associated with uncontrollable fire. 

Installation Requirements

As a general rule, it’s highly recommended to have smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, even in your basement. They should be on the ceiling or high on the wall. In addition, install at least one at the bottom of the staircase leading to the upper floors so you can hear them if you’re asleep in your bedroom. 

Fire spreads quickly, so make sure you have alarms installed in all the living areas of your home, such as living and family rooms. The kitchen is a bit special since cooking smoke can trigger the alarm. So, position the fire alarm approximately 10 feet away from the stove to reduce the potential for false alarms. 

Additionally, keep the smoke alarms free of any paint or other decorations that might affect their proper functioning. 

Always Have Backup

Smoke detectors are typically powered by batteries, or they’re hardwired into your home’s electrical system. Of course, the advantages of one type are typically the disadvantages of the other; the drawbacks of the latter are a general power loss, and the former, well, batteries that run out at the most inconvenient moment. 

There are two solutions to this problem. You can opt to buy a battery-powered alarm that has a sealed battery with a 10-year worth of juice or get a hardwired system that has a smoke detector battery backup for protection during power outages. 

Smoke Detector Types

There are two types of smoke detectors; ionization detectors and photoelectric detectors. The former are really fast responders and detect flammable fires and ones produced by kitchen grease. The latter excel at detecting slow-burning and smoldering types of fires. 

Despite popular beliefs or biased preferences, both are equally effective at home, and NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association) recommends installing both types in your home. Also, it’s a good idea to invest in alarms that are interconnected so that when one triggers, they all do. 

Test Them Regularly

It’s a sad reality that people get hurt daily or even die as a consequence of fire alarms not activating. This usually happens because the batteries either weren’t working or have been removed to stop false alarms. 

Regularly testing your fire alarms will help you discover a malfunction or dead batteries in a timely manner. And no, there’s no need to plant a fire to test them out; simply press the testing button, and the alarm should sound off. Please refer to the alarm’s user manual to find out the method and the desired testing frequency. 

Replace Them When the Time Comes

Just like all electronics, fire alarms don’t last forever. Over time, their sensors become less sensitive, and if left untested, they can stop working without you even knowing, leaving your home and you unprotected. If your alarms are nearing their 10th birthday in your home, or that date has already passed, then they need to be replaced immediately. 

Never Ignore A Sound Alarm

Make sure that every member of your household knows how the fire alarm sounds when it activates. There’s a good chance that your fire alarm is blaring for a reason, so check your home to make sure an unwanted fire isn’t starting. 

Also, it’s a good idea to make an escape plan with your family and household members to make sure everyone exits the home safely in case there’s a fire. All members of your household should be aware of at least two exits from every room inside the house. 

Conclusion

Just like water, fire is a good servant but a very bad master. Take no risks when your personal safety and the safety of your loved ones are at stake. The tips we provided in this guide were meant to increase the effectiveness of your fire alarms, and hopefully, you found them helpful.

 

Read our other articles on security and stay safe