Tips on smoke alarm safety and how to better protect your home, apartment or business from fire.
Did you know that between 2007 and 2011, three out of every five home fire deaths resulted in homes without working smoke alarms? And I say working smoke alarms because many people make the mistake of assuming that they’re safe just because they have a fire alarm in their home. But the truth is, you need to help your fire alarm help you through proper installation, maintenance, and replacement.
Installation
At the bare minimum, you should have a smoke alarm in and outside every bedroom and on each level of your home, including the basement. While many people find a smoke alarm in their kitchen to be a nuisance, cooking is the number one cause of residential fires, so going without a detector in this area is a risky decision.
Maintenance
Once you’ve installed your smoke alarms, you have to ensure that they’re working properly. Once a month, test your smoke alarm using the “test” button. Use this time to become familiar with the sound of the alarm and review your family emergency plan. Replace the batteries in your alarms at least once a year or any time the alarm “chirps.”
Replacement
It is recommended that you replace your smoke detectors every ten years. And with the average cost of a smoke detector coming in at just $15.00, you can afford to replace all the smoke detectors in your home that often. After all, it’s a small price to pay to ensure the safety of your home and your family.
Unless you’re always burning dinner, it’s easy to forget about the smoke alarms in your home. But in order for this little device to do its very best job at protecting your home and your family, you need to be proactive about maintaining it. For more information about smoke alarms and fire prevention, visit the National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org. And be sure to review your homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy with your Preferred Mutual Insurance Agent today to ensure that you’re financially protected in the event of a fire.