Take Full Advantage of Smoke Detectors in Your Home

Stop, drop and roll—this is something most of us learned at an early age in elementary school. Although we hope we’ll never have to execute these actions, there are steps you need to take to protect yourself and your family from becoming the victims of a house fire. This starts by using smoke detectors properly, as doing so is essential if you are to fully benefit from these life-saving devices. Here’s a rundown of some key tips for effective smoke detector use:

• Do it right: Purchase quality smoke alarms and keep all manuals and instructions in a folder for future reference. As a homeowner, it’s good for you to know how to perform common home maintenance, including installing and testing smoke detectors for functionality. However, to be completely sure of proper smoke detector installation and to put your mind at ease, hire an expert electrician. Ask an electrical contractor in North Scottsdale, AZ to show you how to use and maintain it, and how to change the batteries in the smoke alarms they install for you.
• Where to install them: Smoke detectors should be installed on the inside of every single bedroom as well as on the outside. For multi-level homes, each floor needs an additional detector, and don’t forget to put one on the basement ceiling and one in the stairwell. All of this may seem excessive, but safety is everything when it comes to your life and the lives of your family members.
• Keep clear of certain areas: It’s important to install smoke alarms in places where they will not malfunction or constantly sound off false alarms. Place smoke detectors at least 10 feet away from the kitchen, as cooking creates steam and smoke, which can set off alarms even in situations where no threat exists. Other areas to steer clear of are doors, windows, ducts, vents and other openings because air drafts have the potential to hinder function and alarms may fail to operate properly.
• Sync them up: Interconnect all of your home’s smoke alarms for the best protection from a house fire. It’s just as is sounds—in the event that one alarm goes off, all connected smoke detectors will go off. Syncing devices together also increases safety. So even though this can be annoying for false alarms, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Hire a skilled electrical contractor in North Scottsdale, AZ to help you with this process.
• Test your devices: Rest assured your smoke detectors are in good working order by testing for efficiency on a monthly to quarterly basis, as well as after a battery change. Replace defective and erratically working detectors immediately. You can plan to test home alarms yourself, but make sure you actually intend to do it on a regular inspection schedule to keep home safety a priority. Otherwise, set up a testing schedule with a pro.

There’s no doubt that smoke detectors can save lives, so be sure you are taking full advantage of the smoke detectors in your home. If you require the services of a professional with a vast knowledge of smoke alarm benefits and installation skills, contact Eavenson Electric Co today to speak to an expert electrical contractor in North Scottsdale, AZ.

Categorised in: Smoke Detectors

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