Protect Your Home from Fire with Smoke Alarms

10/14/2020 (Permalink)

While many homeowners know the value of smoke alarms and even have them installed in their homes, few take the time to make sure they’re professionally installed and in working order, which can render an alarm useless. You can protect your home from fire with smoke alarms. Learn more about them and your home to stay protected.

Why have a smoke alarm?

Smoke alarms play a vital role in saving lives, and when properly installed, can reduce the risk of fire injury by providing early detection. It can also help minimize damage to your own by early detection of smoke and fire, allowing for faster reaction to the situation. The National Fire Protection Association recommends smoke alarms 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 installed away from the kitchen to prevent false alarms. Generally, they should be at least 10 feet from a cooking appliance.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.
• Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. If an alarm beeps, the battery is low and should be replaced right away.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

Are smoke alarms enough to protect you?

Smoke alarms work best when paired with a fire escape plan. A plan allows your family, including your family pets, to escape quickly and safely in an emergency situation. Need help creating a fire escape plan? Red Cross put together a helpful fire escape plan that homeowners can use. While smoke alarms obviously can’t prevent a fire, early detection can protect your family’s safety, alerting them to get out of the home in case of fire, and possibly minimizing damage to the home by addressing the fire early.

What happens if you experience a fire?

When tragedy strikes and you experience a fire in your home, the first action is to exit the home quickly. Contact the fire department to extinguish the flames and then contact a fire remediation company like SERVPRO of Central Phoenix to help address the damage done by fire, smoke and fire extinguishing materials used by the fire department. From structural concerns to worsening effects that demand efficient mitigation tactics, our SERVPRO of Central Phoenix IICRC-Certified fire and smoke restoration technicians can help. We’ll address the damage and endeavor to make your home look like it never happened, addressing property damage as well as odors to help restore your home.

If you experience a fire in your home, or have questions about fire, smoke, or soot damage, call SERVPRO of Central Phoenix at (602) 386-4268. We’re here 24/7 to help!