So you see those round little electronic devices with blinking LEDs that often hang on ceilings or walls? If you were thinking smoke detectors, you are absolutely right. Smoke detectors are fire-safety devices that save your life in the event of fire in your home or workplace. They detect smoke and instantly set off an alarm to notify you that there is a possibility of a fire.
It is really easy to forget to maintain your smoke detectors like checking the batteries, or if it has not been infested by some insects. However, it is super important to ensure that your smoke detectors are 100% functional as you might not know when you need them the most.
Why Use Smoke Detectors?
I know you are thinking “Why do I even need a smoke detector?”. Imagine forgetting that cake in the oven and it begins to burn while you are in the shower or even taking a nap? The smoke detector detects the smoke and sets off the alarm alerting you about the danger. Smoke detectors installed at various locations of your home monitor for smokes day and night and they warn you of any possible dangers. They allow you to quickly check the nature of the problem before it escalates. Smoke detectors also help the fire department to detect the exact location of fires making them focus their attention on the main source of fire to improve their efficiency during fire-fighting.
Installing a Smoke Detector
If you live in a home with more than one floor, it is recommended to install a smoke detector on every floor. If there are rooms in the house whose doors are often closed then it is also necessary to install smoke detectors in each room. Avoid installing smoke detectors in rooms that produce steam like bathrooms as there might often be false alarms. Most smoke detectors use double sided tape to stick the device to the ceiling mount. In order to properly install a smoke detector, you will need to drill the mount to your ceiling and then attach the smoke detector to the sticky mount.
Smoke Detector Maintenance Tips
To ensure that your smoke detectors are functioning properly, it is important to perform periodic checks on all your smoke detectors at least once every month. Smoke detectors come in different brands and models so be sure to read the manufacturer’s manual to gain knowledge on how to maintain the detectors. However, here are a few tips on how to maintain your smoke detectors:
- Check the batteries: Checking the batteries once every month is a good way to ensure that your batteries are not dead. You can perform a simple test on the detector by pressing down the test button until you hear a loud beep. In some models you will have to press the button again for the sound to stop. If the detector is in a high place and hard to reach use a broom or pole to reach the test button.
- Vacuum smoke detectors: Smoke detectors should be vacuumed at least once every six months in order to remove any dust buildup and cobwebs. When vacuuming smoke detectors, make sure to use a soft brush attachment around and along each of the vents.
- Protecting the smoke detector from infestations: Using a surface insect spray around each of the smoke detectors in your home can be a good way to help prevent insects from nesting inside; however, when spraying around smoke detectors, make sure they are covered to prevent spraying inside of them.
- Replacing the batteries: The smoke detector’s batteries may need to be replaced once a year. In most models, when the batteries are low, the detector will emit a short beeping sound every few minutes. It is important to note that not all smoke alarms have replaceable batteries, so you will need to check the manufacturer’s instructions before replacing the batteries in your smoke alarms.
When To Replace Your Smoke Detector
Since smoke detectors work to constantly monitor the air 24 hours a day, they may begin to malfunction over time from exposure to accumulated dust, insects, airborne contaminants, and corrosion. Most smoke detectors will have an expiration or replace-by date stamped/printed on them; however, if your smoke alarm does not have a date on it, it is important to replace it once every 10 years. At the end of 10 years, the smoke alarm will have gone through millions of monitoring cycles and the components may have become less reliable.
Smoke detectors are vitally important to keeping your home and family safe. We can help you install smoke detectors around your home and position them to give you the best coverage. Call us on 0200-054-188 or visit HouseClap today to schedule a visit and have your smoke detector installed for you in minutes.