As part of an overall fire prevention plan for your home, the proper placement of smoke detectors is crucial. Knowing where best to install them can make a world of difference to your family’s safety. The following are 10 tips on where to put smoke detectors in your home. For more information see link at bottom.
1. Smoke detectors should be hard-wired to a dedicated circuit, without any switching that could inadvertently disconnect them. Each detector should have a backup battery allow it to work independently of house power in case of loss of electricity.
2. Your smoke detectors should be interconnected so that when one of them detects smoke, all of the detectors throughout your home will sound the alarm.
3. Place detectors directly outside all sleeping areas. If you sleep with your bedroom door closed, one should be installed inside the bedroom. Long hallways should have a detector installed every 30 feet.
4. Avoid installing smoke detectors near windows or doors. The drafts from them can redirect smoke away from the detectors, rendering them ineffective.
5. Make sure you allow at least 3ft. clearance from air registers and forced air units as these can also undermine the effectiveness of your smoke detector.
6. You should install a smoke detector at the top of any stairwells in the home. An enclosed stairway will act much like a chimney and channel smoke upwards to the top of the stairs.
7. Ceilings that are domed, cathedral-type, etc. should have detectors mounted within 3 feet of the highest point of the ceiling.
8. Do not install smoke detectors in dusty areas. The dust can cause the detector to either fail or give false smoke alarms.
9. Avoid installation in areas of high humidity such as bathrooms. The humidity can also generate false alarms.
10. You may need to try different types of smoke detectors depending on their sensitivity and placement to ensure proper operation and no false alarms. There are two types you can buy: ionization and photoelectric.
It’s a good idea to get in the habit of replacing smoke detector batteries at the same time that you set your clocks for a time change, as both are required twice a year, and the time change is a handy reminder. Remember that every room, and each floor of your home should have at least one smoke detector installed.
http://www.homealarmmonitoring.org/year/10-tips-on-where-to-put-smoke-detectors-in-your-home/
Showing posts with label smoke detector. Show all posts
Showing posts with label smoke detector. Show all posts
Monday, May 16, 2011
Friday, October 1, 2010
American Red Cross
Let's start with a stunning fact: 65% of home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms.
When was the last time you tested your smoke alarm? Do you have one on every level of your home? And how old are the batteries?
www.oregonredcross.org/homefires
October is Fire Prevention Month, the perfect time to focus on fire safety. Test your smoke alarm and re-test it on the same date every month going forward. Replace the batteries at least once a year or check on 10-year batteries. And keep in mind that while carbon monoxide alarms are also lifesavers, they're not a substitute.
Want to do more? Talk to your family about a fire escape plan and then practice, practice, practice. And if a fire really does happen? Remember to get out, stay out and call 9-1-1. In no time at all, your Oregon Red Cross will be there to help.
www.oregonredcross.org/homefires
When was the last time you tested your smoke alarm? Do you have one on every level of your home? And how old are the batteries?
www.oregonredcross.org/homefires
October is Fire Prevention Month, the perfect time to focus on fire safety. Test your smoke alarm and re-test it on the same date every month going forward. Replace the batteries at least once a year or check on 10-year batteries. And keep in mind that while carbon monoxide alarms are also lifesavers, they're not a substitute.
Want to do more? Talk to your family about a fire escape plan and then practice, practice, practice. And if a fire really does happen? Remember to get out, stay out and call 9-1-1. In no time at all, your Oregon Red Cross will be there to help.
www.oregonredcross.org/homefires
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Statesman Journal OEM column June 24
June 24, 2009
It's important to be prepared.
All areas are vulnerable to any type of disaster.
The recent thunderstorms and tornado watch was another disaster preparedness wake-up call. Will we pay attention? Will we be ready to care for ourselves when the power goes out and the roads are closed?
It is sometimes difficult for people to understand the importance of being prepared for disasters even though we wouldn't think of living in a home without a smoke detector.
Here are four statements I hear regularly — did any of these come from you?
"If something happens, all I have to do is call 911" — during a major disaster, help is limited and can only get there so fast. Roads often are blocked.
"All I need is a 72-hour kit with a flashlight, some food and water and a radio" — 72 hours is the minimal amount of time you need to be self-sufficient. Two or more weeks would be better.
"Good preparedness is too expensive and too complicated" — If you can't afford to purchase a ready-made kit, purchase one or two items each week with your regular grocery shopping.
"Nothing really bad ever happens here" — You may have noticed that in the past few years, Oregon has had more and more disasters. No area is immune. Consider the possibilities of flood, earthquake, chemical spill, school shooting, thunderstorms, terrorist attack, snow storm, landslides, etc. Any of these could cause you to be isolated at home for several days.
Remember, there will always be someone needier than you and the more prepared you are, the more you free up resources so they can help those less fortunate.
Jennifer Bailey, formerly of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is the Public Affairs Coordinator of Oregon Emergency Management. She may be reached at (503) 378-2911, Ext. 22294, or jbailey@oem.state.or.us. Additional Facts
Learn more
Send questions about emergency preparedness to be answered in this column to jbailey@oem.state.or.us. Other information may be found at www.oregon. gov/omd/oem or www.fema.gov.
It's important to be prepared.
All areas are vulnerable to any type of disaster.
The recent thunderstorms and tornado watch was another disaster preparedness wake-up call. Will we pay attention? Will we be ready to care for ourselves when the power goes out and the roads are closed?
It is sometimes difficult for people to understand the importance of being prepared for disasters even though we wouldn't think of living in a home without a smoke detector.
Here are four statements I hear regularly — did any of these come from you?
"If something happens, all I have to do is call 911" — during a major disaster, help is limited and can only get there so fast. Roads often are blocked.
"All I need is a 72-hour kit with a flashlight, some food and water and a radio" — 72 hours is the minimal amount of time you need to be self-sufficient. Two or more weeks would be better.
"Good preparedness is too expensive and too complicated" — If you can't afford to purchase a ready-made kit, purchase one or two items each week with your regular grocery shopping.
"Nothing really bad ever happens here" — You may have noticed that in the past few years, Oregon has had more and more disasters. No area is immune. Consider the possibilities of flood, earthquake, chemical spill, school shooting, thunderstorms, terrorist attack, snow storm, landslides, etc. Any of these could cause you to be isolated at home for several days.
Remember, there will always be someone needier than you and the more prepared you are, the more you free up resources so they can help those less fortunate.
Jennifer Bailey, formerly of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is the Public Affairs Coordinator of Oregon Emergency Management. She may be reached at (503) 378-2911, Ext. 22294, or jbailey@oem.state.or.us. Additional Facts
Learn more
Send questions about emergency preparedness to be answered in this column to jbailey@oem.state.or.us. Other information may be found at www.oregon. gov/omd/oem or www.fema.gov.
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