Functioning Smoke Detectors Can Protect You from Fire

1/28/2022 (Permalink)

An often-overlooked home maintenance item is smoke alarms. While many homeowners know the value of smoke detectors, few take the time to make sure they’re in working order, which can render an alarm useless in protecting your home. You can protect your home from fire damage with smoke alarms. Learn more about them and your home to stay protected.

Why do homes need smoke alarms at all?

Smoke alarms play a vital responsibility in protecting your home and your family. When properly installed, they can reduce the risk of fire injury by providing early detection. It can also help minimize damage to your home by providing early detection of smoke and fire, allowing for a faster reaction to the situation. The National Fire Protection Association recommends smoke detectors be installed in every bedroom, outside all sleeping quarters, and on every level of the house. Here are a few tips regarding smoke alarm installation, testing, and maintenance:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of the home, including the basement.
• Smoke alarms should be located away from the kitchen to prevent false alarms.
• Test smoke detectors at least once a month.
• Replace batteries in all smoke alarms annually.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

Are smoke alarms really enough protection for a home?

Smoke detectors work best when paired with a well-crafted but simple fire escape plan. Such a plan allows your family, including your family pets, to escape quickly and safely in an emergency. The Red Cross offers a fire escape plan that homeowners can use. While smoke alarms can’t prevent a fire, early detection can protect your family’s safety, alerting them to get out of the home quickly in case of fire, and possibly minimizing damage to the home by addressing the fire early and extinguishing it quickly. Having functioning smoke alarms in your home is crucial to overall protection of your home, belongings, and family.

If you experience a fire, contact SERVPRO

If you experience a fire in your home, contact a fire remediation company like SERVPRO of Phoenix to help address the damage done by fire, smoke, soot, and fire extinguishing materials. Our SERVPRO IICRC-Certified fire restoration technicians can help, regardless of how extensive the damage is. We’ll work to make your home look "Like it never even happened," addressing property damage as well as odors to help restore your home to livable condition whenever possible. If you experience fire damage of any kind in your home, contact SERVPRO at 480-502-2090. We’re here 24/7 to help if your home experiences a fire!