Smoke detectors placement and fresh batteries can save lives

When it comes to one area of fire prevention, smoke alarms, placements, and batteries are some of the common mistakes people make when it comes to being notified of a fire in a home. Experts recommend not installing smoke alarms near doors or ducts and when it comes to the batteries, checking them is also key!

“We want to be checking our smoke detector batteries twice a year if we have a sealed detector, which many of the new detectors are. Those batteries are guaranteed for ten years, in which case they don’t need new batteries. But we recommend testing them once a month,” says Duluth Firefighter Andrew Olson.

Working smoke alarms can give you time to get outside of a home or building quickly. The National Fire Protection Association suggests:

• A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement. Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• Today’s smoke alarms will be more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions, yet mitigate false alarms.
• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
• People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
• Smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan.

Experts also say it is important to install smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside of every separate bedroom area, and on every level of the home.