Safety Devices: Fire Detector
Keeping your family safe is important and this can be easier if you have a smoke detector fitted and properly maintained in your home. These devices are there to warn you in case of a fire.
Smoke detectors
If you are looking to save the lives of your family if a fire was to break out in your home, a fire detector will give you the time you need to leave your home before it can kill you.
They can detect the smoke in your home and sound an alarm to alert you to the possible danger of a house fire. There are different types of fire detectors; they do different jobs, and getting the right one for your home and the room you are installing it in is important.
The cheapest fire detector is often an ionisation detector and is great at detecting small particles of smoke in the air from paper and wood fires. Near a kitchen is not the best location for these because they will sound their alarm with some smells produced in the kitchen, including toast burning.
A better smoke detector, which can go outside a kitchen, is one called an optical sensor alarm. This detects larger particles and is not set off by burning toast; it recognises smoke from fires that have started and consuming furniture.
The best alarm for your kitchen is a heat alarm; this detects the rise in the heat and can sound the alarm if a fire is to break out in a kitchen.
There are a couple of rooms that you should never install a smoke detector, the first one is the bathroom. It is important that you don’t place a fire alarm in the bathroom because the steam, aerosols sprays, even applying powder, can set off an alarm.
The second area you should avoid a smoke detector is your garage, as the smoke from your car can set it off. It is important that you choose a heat detector for your garage and the position is just as important as the right device. Read the manufactures instructions as to the recommended place for the installation.
Maintenance of your smoke detector
It is vital, if you want your fire alarm to protect you and your family, that you ensure it is in full working order at all times.
- Replace the battery every year even if the battery seems fine.
- Test your fire detector weekly, this ensures that it is working correctly.
- Clean your smoke alarm with a vacuum cleaner, gently removing any dust particles; do this at least twice a year.
- At the 10 year point it is time to get a new device, no matter what condition the old fire detector is in.
- If getting an electrical smoke detector fitted, it is important to get it installed by a qualified electrician.
The welfare of your family is at stake and it is vital that you consider installing fire detector in your home and make sure you are careful to properly maintain them according to the manufactures instructions.
