SMOKE ALARMS

 

In 2005, 74 percent of home fire deaths occurred in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Ionization smoke detectors detect flaming fires effectively, but are slow or do not respond to smoldering fires. Photoelectric smoke detection is generally more responsive to fires that begin with a long period of smoldering. Fire safety experts and the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) recommend installing what are called combination alarms, which are alarms that either detect both heat and smoke, or use both the ionization and photoelectric / optical processes.

Consumer Reports recommends First Alert SA302CN or Kidde PI9000

http://www.amazon.com/First-Alert-SA302CN-Double-Battery-Powered/dp/B000066OC9/ref=sr_1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300740243&sr=1-1-catcorr

http://www.amazon.com/Kidde-PI9000-Battery-Operated-Ionization-Photoelectric/dp/B0007G71U4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1300740307&sr=1-1

Check the package to make sure smoke alarms meet Underwriters Laboratories Standard 217 and CO alarms meet UL Standard 2034.

Install ceiling-mounted smoke alarms that are at least four inches away from the walls on every level of your home.

Smoke alarms should be tested monthly and batteries replaced yearly, or as soon as you hear a low-battery warning which usually sounds like a “chirping” noise.

Keep smoke alarms clean by vacuuming over and around it regularly. Dust and debris can interfere with its operation.

The NFPA strongly recommends the replacement of home smoke alarms every 10 years. Alarm system may in some cases be connected to fire departments.