According to the Home Safety Council, more than 3,000 people die from fires each year (USA Statistics). Eighty percent of those occur while in the home; the majority of those happen when people are sleeping. A fire can build and grow in just minutes.

That can cause poisonous gas to build up in a home easily. If you’re asleep, it’s an extremely dangerous situation. That’s why smoke alarms are the most important thing all people can have in their homes.

According to the National Fire Protection agency, 62% of home-related fire deaths resulted because the home didn’t have smoke alarms, or the alarms were not functional. In Canada – the Smoke Detector Law states that Smoke Alarms older than 10 years MUST be replaced. In the USA, if your smoke alarms are over 10 years of age, you’re encouraged to have them replaced, or at least inspected).

Here are some smoke-alarm-safety tips everyone should know:

• Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home as well as outside sleeping areas.
• For additional protection, install a smoke alarm in each bedroom.
• Alarms should be tested every month and the batteries replaced at least once a year.
• Install alarms near the highest pitch of the ceiling, at least four inches away from the wall.
• Avoid placing alarms too close to the kitchen and bathrooms where fumes and steam can result in false alarms.
• Purchase smoke alarms that are Underwriters Laboratories of Canada ULC or CSA approved, or listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for USA
• Install special alarms for anyone in your home who is deaf or hearing impaired. (Visual Alarms can be added).
• Test smoke alarms after returning home after you’ve been away for a few days.

The best smoke detectors people can have today are interconnected smoke alarms. If one signals, all of them throughout the home will simultaneously chirp. This provides families maximum safety—they don’t have to wait until the smoke or fire is perilously close to alert them.

For best protection, Captain Electric recommends that your Smoke Alarms should be wired (120 Volt) with Battery Back-up, and wired “interconnected.” In some cases, wireless “interconnected” Smoke Alarms may be a more practical and cost effective solution.

If you are concerned at all about the integrity of the Smoke Alarms in your home, please call Captain Electric to discuss the options you have to protect your home and family from Fire and Smoke hazards.

*National Fire Protection Association(USA)