The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and love with your family. The excitement of giving gifts, enjoying a homecooked meal, and decorating your home should be the top priority. To make sure this holiday season is full of cheer, make sure you add one more thing to the to-do list – your smoke detector installation.
If there’s ever a time of year when the risk of smoke and fires are high, it’s the holidays. In the kitchen alone, even the best cooks can have mishaps, leading to a smoky oven or a fiery burner, especially when stress is high. Fireplaces can backfire, leading the house to be filled with smoke, and there are numerous other fire hazards around the home that the dry foliage and increased kitchen traffic can cause. This stress is not one you need, but a smoke alarm installation can solve it.
Making sure your smoke detector is installed and working properly is the best way to defend the home from fires, allowing you to focus solely on the festivities of the season. While models can vary from one to the next, the safe installation and maintenance of these devices can mean the difference between a relaxing night by the fire, as oppose a potential house fire.
Smoke Detector Installation Tips
During your installation of the smoke detector, there are a few ways that you can ensure that it works properly from the moment it is put in.
Install the fire alarm high up on the wall or on the ceiling.
Smoke rises, and smoke alarms need to be able to pick up the slightest bit of smoke from whatever level it starts at. Having it sense smoke at these levels increases the likelihood that it will go off.
Set up your smoke alarm in every bedroom.
Bedrooms are the most common spaces in the house to have closed doors, cutting them off from the rest of the house. Whether the fire starts in the bedroom or outside of it, these alarms will be able to sense smoke and alert the most tired of housemates.
Install at least one fire alarm per house level.
Most people think of just their main floor and second floor with smoke alarm installation. Make sure basements and attics are also included, in case any fires start in these areas that typically have no traffic.
Write down the installation date on the device.
This date will remind you when it is time to replace the alarm, acting as an expiration date.
Don’t install an alarm above a stove, clothes dryer, or other areas where there is a lot of heat or steam.
While you might think that these areas are the places that need smoke alarms the most, that’s not exactly true. Yes, these areas should be monitored, but the constant exposure to heat and humidity can cause the alarm to malfunction. Choose an area with better air flow, allowing the alarm to pick up smoke but not become damaged daily.
Every home should have a smoke alarm or detector installed, but that single step isn’t enough. After your smoke alarm installation, you need to keep up with testing to maintain their quality, ensuring that they effectively operate every day.
Maintaining Your Smoke Detector
Once the device is installed, most people think that their job is done. However, you need to keep up with regular maintenance after installation to make sure they are always ready to protect. Here are a few of the maintenance requirements of smoke alarms and detectors:
Test the alarm monthly.
Check the expiration date, as each alarm lasts for about a decade.
Replace the alarm sooner if it starts go off sporadically or otherwise malfunction.
Replace batteries every six months.
Keep the alarm free of dust.
If the alarm is connected to the home’s electrical system, you may want to speak with your local electrician to check on your smoke detector in the event of any malfunctions.
Stay Safe!
With all of these tips and tricks in mind, staying safe during the holiday season should be easy. Before all of the out-of-towners and local loved ones come to your celebration, take an hour or two to check on all of your smoke detectors and alarms. Your guests will appreciate the safe accommodations, and you can rest easy, knowing that your home is well-prepared for anything. Make sure to call a professional like Clements Electric to make sure everything is installed safely, book online here.