Are Your Smoke Alarms in Good Working Condition?

A Smoke Alarm Inspection: A Few Minutes Out of Your Day Can Save Lives

In 2020, more than 350,000 house fires occurred in the United States. While that is an alarming statistic, it has been drastically reduced since the widespread use of advanced smoke detectors. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association, there are approximately 50% fewer residential fires than 40 years ago. Even though smoke alarms are quick to respond to heat or smoke in your home, it’s still vital to ensure they are in good working order.

Smoke alarm inspection takes a few minutes to do, but it can save lives and protect your home from costly damage. It’s also important to know the proper placement of smoke detectors, when to replace the batteries, and how to maintain the alarms. Keep reading to learn how to protect your home in Glen Ellen, CA.

SEE ALSO: 5 Warning Signs Your Home May Have Electrical Problems  

Proper Placement

Where are your smoke detectors? Putting them in the right locations is more important than simply having them in your home. For instance, you shouldn’t install them in drafty areas near vents, windows, or fans. Then, if there is a fire, the smoke alarm may not detect the smoke. Instead, your smoke alarms should be located in all bedrooms, hallways, home theaters, and on every level of your home. They should be mounted on the ceiling, four inches away from the wall – or on the wall, four to 12 inches from the ceiling. 

When to Replace the Batteries?

Here’s an easy way to remember to replace the batteries on your smoke alarms: When it’s the time change, it’s time to change your batteries. Since the time changes happen in March and November, you’ll replace the batteries twice a year. However, some smoke alarms have non-replaceable batteries. They generally have a life expectancy of 10 years. So, once the alarm begins to beep, you’ll know that the battery is getting low, and you need to purchase a new device. After 10 years, they should be replaced.

Put Your Smoke Alarm to the Test

It may look good mounted on your wall or ceiling, but you need to make sure it’s working. Smoke alarm inspection and maintenance is easy. It’s a good idea to check each alarm once a month or so. Depending on the type of smoke alarm, the test button will be located on the front or side. Simply press and hold. First, check to see if the alarm sounds. Be mindful, though, that that alone is not enough to know if the alarm is operational. That’s why we recommend working with a professional like Summit Technology Group which will go further into testing that the proper signal is going out when the alarm is activated.

Summit Technology Group Safeguards Your Home

Protecting your home and family can go way beyond the standard smoke and CO2 detection you may currently have. Summit Technology Group also installs robust residential fire protection monitoring systems. Whether it be a new insurance requirement or just additional peace of mind, we’ll design the perfect system for your home or large estate. In addition, the entire system can be integrated with a smart home system, so you have complete access and control via a smart home tablet, smartphone app, or computer.

  Would you like to schedule a complete smoke alarm inspection of your property? Call Summit Technology Group at 707-542-4773, start a chat on this page, or fill out our online contact form.