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Smoke detectors are a simple way to prevent the needless deaths that result when a fire occurs at night while people are sleeping. The poisonous effects of gas and smoke often prevent victims from ever waking up. Smoke detectors can be your first line of defense by providing you with an early warning. It is essential however that they be properly installed and maintained. Smoke detectors are either battery operated or are wired directly into your homes electrical system. Make sure you replace the batteries in battery operated smoke detectors as required. A good tip is to replace your batteries when you change your clocks. Routinely test and clean smoke detectors to ensure they are in good working order. It is a good idea to perform a test while your family is sleeping to make certain they will hear the alarm and can escape from a fire in time. There are different smoke alarms for different types of fires. Flaming fires devour combustibles quickly, spread fast and produce a considerable amount of heat with little smoke. Ionization type smoke alarms detect these types of fires best. A smoldering fire produces large amounts of thick, black smoke with little heat and could smolder for hours before bursting into flames. Photo electric types of smoke alarms detect these types of fires best and are less likely to make false alarms in the kitchen. There are also smoke detectors that combine ionization and photo electric alarms in one. Being awoken by the sound of a smoke detector in the middle of the night can be quite frightening. To help avoid panic, confusion and fear it is a good idea to plan and practice escape routes with your family from each room of the house. Choose a place outside to meet so you can be assured everyone is safe. Once you are out stay out and call the Fire Department from a neighbor’s house. |
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