Home Matters

Smoke Detectors 101: Selection and Maintenance

Smoke detectors top the list of the most important safety devices you can install in your home. The peace of mind these essential and inexpensive fire safety devices provide homeowners and their families cannot be overstated.

The installation of smoke detectors in your home is a great first step – but it’s only the beginning. It’s absolutely crucial to test smoke detectors regularly to ensure they will work during a fire. With this in mind, the following tips will help you select the smoke detectors best suited for your home and keep them operating as intended.

Selecting the Right Smoke Detectors

Not all smoke detectors are the same. For example, photoelectric units are better for smoldering fires – such as electrical fires within walls. This makes them ideal for kitchens and bathrooms, where these fires tend to occur.

Ionization units give the surrounding air an electrical charge and then measure whether the charge remains constant or if a fire consumes the oxygen in the air. These units are better suited for areas where fires get out of control, such as a basement or near a furnace.

Smoke Detector Maintenance

These steps will help ensure that your smoke detectors are working properly:

• Press the test button on the unit and wait for it to sound.
• Light a candle and hold it 6 inches below the detector so that the heated air will rise up into the device. If the alarm doesn’t sound within 20 seconds, blow out the candle and let the smoke rise. If the alarm still doesn’t sound, open the detector, clean it, and then test it again. If the detector still isn’t working, it should be replaced immediately.
• Replace smoke detector batteries on a routine basis. A great way to remember to change batteries is to do so twice a year, during shifts in daylight saving time. When you set your clocks forward or back an hour, also change your smoke detectors’ batteries to help keep your home and your family safe.

Talk to a Leader in Homeowners Insurance Solutions

To learn more about home maintenance guidance and the homeowners insurance solutions VTC Insurance Group offers, contact us at 248.828.3377 or visit vtcins.com.

This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.