| Approximately 3,000 lives in the US are lost to home | | | | Ease of installing this device depends on its |
| fires every year. A huge chunk of these casualties are | | | | manufacture. Hard wired alarms that need to be |
| surprisingly caused by inhalation of smoke or toxic | | | | connected to your house electrical system might |
| gases rather than by severe burns. In addition, most of | | | | require you to hire a licensed electrician to do the |
| the reported fire accidents and fatalities have | | | | installation unless you are qualified to do it yourself. For |
| happened when the family was sleeping. Minimize the | | | | brands like battery-operated or self-adhesive ones, |
| possibility of these risks occurring right in your home | | | | installing them could be such a breeze as you would |
| through learning about smoke alarms and implementing | | | | be only required to screw or stick them to the wall or |
| proper safety measures. | | | | ceiling. However, be sure to follow the product guide to |
| As small as a smoke alarm can be, it could actually | | | | guarantee it would work accordingly. You might also |
| serve a very significant purpose. As it sends off a loud | | | | have to contact your local fire department or other |
| signal should smoke from a fire source arises, you and | | | | concerned agencies regarding mandatory proper |
| your family can safely get out of the house. This | | | | smoke alarm installation. |
| simple device then reduces the risk of having to | | | | To promote further alertness in case of fire, the US |
| encounter fatalities in case of fire. Then again, it can | | | | Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests a set |
| only function well if it is maintained properly. And so | | | | of smoke alarm and fire safety measures to be |
| you could provide appropriate care for the device, you | | | | implemented in your home. For one, a fire escape plan |
| must primarily know what type it is you have at home | | | | should be one of the major priorities of your family. |
| or what type you will purchase. | | | | This drill should include all possible escape ways and |
| There are two basic types of smoke alarms. One | | | | designation of emergency numbers and kits. All |
| type is the ionization alarm that signals faster in case a | | | | members of your household, including permanent or |
| flaming fast-moving fire is present. The other type is | | | | occasional house help, should be part of the practice. |
| the photoelectric alarm that goes off more quickly | | | | It should be practiced at least twice a year, and each |
| when smoldering and smoky fire occurs. But a recent | | | | drill has to be done twice a day - once during the day |
| fusion of these two technologies has acclaimed more | | | | and once again when other family members, especially |
| popularity among consumers - the dual sensor smoke | | | | the kids are asleep. The nighttime drill would enable you |
| alarm. And in order to protect individuals with hearing | | | | to see if they are caught off guard. If someone seems |
| disabilities, there are new smoke alarms available in | | | | to be difficult to awaken, integrate contingency plans to |
| markets that use strobe lights or vibrations to send off | | | | address this problem. |
| warnings. | | | | The alarms should be tested monthly. For |
| According to the US Fire Administration, it is but fitting | | | | battery-powered devices, the batteries have to be |
| to install both types of alarms or the dual sensor type | | | | refreshed at least once a year. Most models come |
| in key places in the house. For multi-story homes, it is | | | | with a feature that indicates low battery charge, either |
| best to place alarms on every floor including the | | | | a chirping sound or blinking red light. Lastly, always dust |
| basement. Sleeping areas should have individual alarms | | | | off your alarms to ensure their smoke detection |
| as well. And outdoor and/or detached spaces within | | | | mechanism is not hindered to function well. |
| your property should have alarms too. | | | | |