Things To Know About Smoke Alarms

Why Are Smoke Alarms Mandatory?

Not having smoke alarms installed in your home or rental property provides a high risk of a dangerous catastrophe. Followed by several fatal house fires, the smoke alarm legislation was introduced in order to prevent future incidents and save as many lives as possible. Once a fire breaks out in your home, it can get difficult to escape and smoke alarms warn you as soon as the slightest smoke rises. Not having a smoke alarm in your home gets especially dangerous at night, as you might not smell the smoke while you are asleep. The good thing is, the loud sound of smoke alarms wake up even the heaviest sleeper.

While initially there was usually one smoke alarm installed on each level of the home, it is now recommended to have smoke alarms installed in all bedrooms and the living areas. That way, the fire can be detected close to the source which makes it easier for the residents to escape the dwelling in a safe way and not get trapped inside the fire.

An interconnected smoke alarm system can help even more to keep everyone safe. When installing the smoke alarms, hallways, stairways, and the garage should also be taken into consideration.

How To Maintain Smoke Alarms?

The maintenance of smoke alarms is of utmost important. Residents might feel safe knowing they have installed all smoke alarms aligning with current legislation, however, they do require a certain amount of maintenance to make sure they really safe lives in the case of an emergency.

Smoke alarms should be tested at least once a month, to make sure the battery is not flat and the alarm works as desired. This can easily be done by pressing the button.

It is recommended to clean the smoke alarm every 6 months using a vacuum cleaner to avoid any obstruction caused by dust or bugs that could prevent the alarm from doing its job. You should change the battery of your smoke alarm at least once a year, however, if your alarm uses a lithium battery that can’t be replaced, you should replace the entire device every 10 years. Generally, every 10 years, it is time for a smoke alarm upgrade. All smoke alarms, no matter what battery, brand or model, should be removed and replaced to make sure the required level of sensitivity is maintained.

Can I Change My Smoke Alarm Myself?

As of now, there any many different types of smoke alarms, including photoelectric, ionisation, multi-criteria and more. All of the above are installed differently, which is why it is highly recommended to hire a specialist like Glasshouse Home Safety, for instance, to install the alarms in your home. Another reason for making use of professional smoke alarm services  is that they know exactly what to do to comply with current legislations, which is especially important if you are a property manager. That way, you save lives and also make sure that you can’t get in trouble for doing something wrong which might save you a fine.

How To Dispose Of Smoke Alarms?

There are certain spots, mostly recycling centres,  where you can safely drop off your devices. Offered by the local council, there are usually certain opening hours. You should avoid disposing the device in your general waste and choose the safest and most environmentally friendly way.