Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms or smoke detectors have saved thousands of lives. Thanks to most local fire departments most homes and businesses now require smoke alarms. Smoke detectors are your first line of defense against fire and can cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half.

Even though smoke alarms (home fire alarms) can be a nuisance when you burn toast, inexpensive household smoke detectors can mean that every member of your family gets out of a burning house alive. Since more than half of all fatal home fires happen at nighttime, a fire alarm might be the only warning sound that is able to wake you and give your family enough time to escape.

National Fire Prevention Week teaches the general public about the importance of smoke alarms, how to react in a fire and how to maintain smoke detectors.

A smoke detector is basically an electrical circuit that gets interrupted by particles. A fire sends miniscule particles into the air, when these tiny particles reach the smoke detector they interfere with the electric circuit and alert a microchip. A smoke alarm's microchip is programmed to send a signal and set off the alarm.

• Install smoke alarms near bedrooms - high on a wall or ceiling.
• Don't install smoke alarms near air vents.
• Test smoke alarms once a month to ensure they work.
• Test smoke alarm batteries regularly and change them every 6-12 months.
• Replace detectors that are more than 10 years old.
• For the best fire protection install both an ionization smoke detector (for fast burning flames) a photoelectric smoke alarm (for smoldering fires).

Fire Alarms
Smoke Alarms
Gas Detectors
Vibration Sensors
Flood Sensors
Heat Sensors
Home Security Kits
Home Safety Systems