Why Should My Home Have Smoke Alarms?  In the event of a fire, a smoke alarm can save your life and those of your loved ones. They are a very important means of preventing house and apartment fire fatalities by providing an early warning signal -- so you and your family can escape. Smoke alarms are one of the best safety devices you can buy and install to protect yourself, your family, and your home.

Smoke Detectors are a great addition to any home security system. Most homes come equipped with battery operated or electrical powered smoke detectors. These detectors work great if you are home or if you are able to hear them. The main difference in those type of detectors and the ones professionally installed is the smoke detectors integrated into your security system will alert the proper authorities allowing a faster response to your emergency. A faster response will provide a greater chance to save your home and those possessions you value most including your family.

What Types of Smoke Alarms Are Available?  There are many different brands of smoke alarms available on the market but they fall under two basic types: ionization and photoelectric.

 

Ionization alarms sound more quickly when a flaming, fast moving fire occurs. Photoelectric alarms are quicker at sensing smoldering, smoky fires. There are also combination smoke alarms that combine ionization and photoelectric into one unit, called dual sensor smoke alarms.

Because both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms are better at detecting distinctly different yet potentially fatal fires, and because homeowners cannot predict what type of fire might start in a home, the USFA recommends the installation of both ionization and photoelectric or dual sensor smoke alarms.

In addition to the basic types of alarms, there are alarms made to meet the needs of people with hearing disabilities. These alarms may use strobe lights that flash and/or vibrate to assist in alerting those who are unable to hear standard smoke alarms when they sound.

Okay, Where Do I Put Them? Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. Many fatal fires begin late at night or in the early morning. For extra safety, install smoke alarms both inside and outside sleeping areas. Since smoke and many deadly gases rise, installing your smoke alarms at the proper level will provide you with the earliest warning possible. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

How Long will my Smoke Alarm Last? Most alarms installed today have a life span of about 8-10 years. After this time, the entire unit should be replaced. It is a good idea to write the date of purchase with a marker on the inside of your alarm so you will know when to replace it. Some of the newer alarms already have the purchase date written inside. In any event, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for replacement.

Here are some of fire facts: 

• Most home fires start in the kitchen 41%
• Cooking was the leading cause of home structure fires & injuries
• Smoking was the leading cause of civilian home fire deaths
• 20% of reported home structure fires occurred between 11:00pm and 7:00 am causing 52% of all home fire deaths
• Almost two-thirds of reported home fire deaths in 2003-2006 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke detectors or no working alarms
• Indiana ranks 14th and Michigan ranks 23d in fire deaths per capita
• In 2007 3,430 people were killed in fires
• Residential fires is 2007 caused $7.4 Billion in property damage

Home Fire Safety Tips:

• Never use candles in your bedroom
• Unplug unused electrical items in bathrooms

• Pick a holiday or your birthday and replace the batteries each year on that day.

• Store matches and lighters out of children's reach and sight, up high, preferably in a locked cabinet

Have a Home Escape Plan 

Create a fire escape floor plan: 

• Start by drawing a rectangle on a piece of paper. Draw one for each room of your home. Then draw in all doors and windows. Your children can use crayons to draw in beds, tables, etc.

• In one color, draw a line that shows the fastest way out of each room. Then, in another color, draw another line that shows the second fastest way out.

• Now that you have your fire escape plan, make sure everyone in the family studies it.

Know what to do in case of a fire: 

• Pick a meeting place outside of your home where everyone can gather after they have left the burning building.

• Hold home fire drills and make them realistic by pretending some exits are blocked by smoke or fire. Hold your drills in the evening since kids can get disoriented in the dark and fires often happen at night.

• Make sure everyone knows that once you’re out, stay out! Never go back inside of a burning building. 

• In case of a fire, get out first, then call the fire department with a portable, cell or neighbor’s phone.

Escape tips: 

• Close doors behind you as you escape to slow the spread of fire and smoke. 

• If you have to escape through smoke, crawl keeping your head one to two feet above the floor, where the air will be cleanest.

• Test doorknobs and spaces around closed doors with the back of your hand. If the door is warm, try another escape route. If it is cool, open it slowly. Slam the door shut if smoke pours through.

Things to think about: 

• Make sure babysitters and other caregivers know escape plan and where to meet.

• Can everyone in your home — including children — unlock and open all doors and windows?

• If your windows have security bars, equip them with quick-release devices, and teach everyone in your household how to use them.

• Test your smoke alarms once a month.

• Replace alarm batteries once a year.

• Replace any alarm that is more than 10 years old.