Smoke Detectors: A Crash Course

The Jones CompaniesFire

Did you know that having a smoke detector in your home doubles your chances of survival if there’s a fire? They are also one of the main reasons fire-related deaths have significantly decreased. Your smoke detectors must be appropriately cared for to keep you and your family safe. We’ve compiled a need-to-know list to ensure your smoke detector will go off in case of a fire.

  1. Smoke detectors should be installed outside of each bedroom, inside rooms where the door is usually shut, and on every story of your home (including the basement).
  2. Make sure your smoke detector is installed correctly. Ceiling-mounted smoke detectors should be at least 4 inches away from the wall. Wall-mounted smoke detectors should be 4 – 12 inches away from the ceiling.
  3. Check your smoke detectors’ batteries once a month, and change the batteries at least once a year. If you hear the low battery alarm sound warning, change the batteries immediately.
  4. Ensure that your detectors are clean by vacuuming them using the brush attachment.
  5. Replace your smoke detectors every 10 years to ensure they’re working correctly.
  6. Make sure your smoke detectors are fit to alert everybody in your household. If someone in your home is hard of hearing, they make smoke detectors that flash light or vibrate to signal that there’s an emergency.

The National Fire Protection Association (also known as NFPA) states that the lack of smoke detectors, or smoke detectors that don’t work, is one of the most common reasons for fire-related tragedies. According to NFPA, three of five fire-related deaths happen in homes with no smoke detectors or non-functional ones. Typically, smoke detectors that don’t sound during a fire are missing batteries.

Smoke detectors are essential to keeping you, your family, and your home safe. If you have more questions about smoke detectors or other ways to stay prepared, call The Jones Companies at 910-455-9960.