Smoke Alarm Safety Tips

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1. Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each seperate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement. Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds they all sound.

2. An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flamming fires, and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, both types of alarms or a combination alarm (photoelectric and ionization) should be installed in homes.

3. Test Alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.

4. Smoke rises; install smoke alarms following manufacturer’s instructions high on a wall or on a ceiling. Save manufacturer’s instructions for testing and maintenance.

5. Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. If an alarm “chirps”, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.

6. Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use a 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10 years old or sooner if they do not respond properly.

7. Alarms that are hard-wired (and include battery backup) must be installed by a qualified electrician.

8. If cooking fumes or steam sets off nuisance alarms, replace the alarm with an alarm that has a “hush” button. A “hush” button will reduce the alarms sensitivity for a period of time.

9. An Ionization alarm with a “hush” button or a photoelectric alarm should be used if the alarm is within 20 feet of a cooking appliance.

10. Smoke alarms that include a recordable voice announcement in addition to the usual alarm sound, may be helpful in waking children through the use of a familiar voice.

11. Smoke alarms are available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These devices use strobe lights. Vibration devices can be added to these alarms.

12. Smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan.

This article is refrenced from the National Fire Protection Association website (NFPA.org). If you would like more information about smoke detectors visit the (valleycenterks.org) look under Departments for Valley Center Fire Department, look under Fire Prevention Week (smoke detectors) or look under Useful Links and click on National Fire Protection Agency (search).

photo credit – born1945 **

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