Smoke Alarms: what you need to know and how to maintain

2/14/2017 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms - save lives when properly installed. Here is a basic checklist of how to use smoke alarms to protect your loved ones, and property and businesses.

1. In homes, smoke alarms should be in every bedroom, on every level - including the basement.

2. In the office and commercial environments, check your state requirements or contact your local fire marshal to help ensure all codes are met.

3. Test smoke alarms monthly with the test button. IF you have smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries need the entire alarm changed every 10 years, and the unit replaced every 10 years. IF the battery chirps signaling a low battery, change batteries immediately and test it again. 

4. Never disable or remove the battery from an alarm. Almost half of fires where smoke alarms were present but did not activate had missing or disconnected batteries (NFBA).

5. Hard-wired or wireless smoke alarms offer benefits such as not needing to be tested as often and activating throughout the entire building if smoke is just detected in one area.

6. If you need help installing, testing or changing batteries in smoke alarms, contact a friend, family member or your local fire department, an electrician, or the American Red Cross.

7. Make sure your business and home has in place a fire emergency plan with meeting spot (place to meet if a fire occurs) and conduct regular fire drills.