Smoke Detector Tips

The hows, whys, and wheres of home smoke detection

Fire-related deaths caused by smoke inhalation are double the number of deaths attributable to burns. But that's just one reason why having a smoke detector in your home is essential. Smoke detectors have been proven to reduce fire deaths by 40%. Following these smoke detector tips will help to keep you and your family safe and secure.

Why?

Why is it that smoke detectors are so effective at reducing fire-related deaths? We’ve all seen that smoke travels much farther and faster than fire. Having a smoke detector in your home could provide you with the advance warning you need to escape from your home before being trapped by a fire.

Another important fact is that most fatal fires occur when home occupants are sleeping. It's good to know that a smoke detector is keeping watch for you overnight.

Where?

Hot air rises, so smoke detectors should be placed high up on walls, about 4 to 12 inches away from the ceiling, or on the ceiling itself. You should avoid placing a smoke detector near drafty areas such as windows or vents that can prevent smoke from reaching it.

To avoid repeated false alarms, you should also place smoke detectors a reasonable distance from locations where cooking smoke or shower humidity could set them off.

How many smoke detectors you should have in your home is a matter of prudence. Some people choose to have smoke detectors in every room. Others are satisfied with a smoke detector on every floor. We recommend you err on the side of caution. Place smoke detectors by sleeping areas and high fire risk areas in your home.

How?

Most smoke detectors work in one of two ways:

Ionization

Ionization smoke detectors rely on a small amount of radioactive material that sends an electric current between two electrodes. An alarm sounds if smoke disturbs that current.

Photoelectricity

A photoelectric smoke detector uses small light beams to check the air. If smoke causes the beam from a photoelectric smoke detector to disperse, the smoke alarm will go off.

Battery or electricity?

When buying a smoke alarm, you'll need to choose not only between ionization smoke detectors and photoelectric smoke detectors, but also battery-powered smoke detectors versus electric smoke detectors.

Most smoke detectors are battery powered. Such smoke alarms avoid wiring issues, but they also require conscientious upkeep. If you have battery-powered smoke detectors, check their batteries regularly. Most smoke detectors feature a test button for doing this. Even if your smoke detector's batteries test fine, it's advisable to replace them annually.

Electric-powered smoke detectors are wired into a home's electrical system, which is obviously much easier to do while you're constructing a new home. However, if you'd rather rely on an electrically powered smoke detector, a qualified electrician can install one for you. Most electric-powered smoke detectors also come with a battery backup in case of a power outage.

More information on smoke detectors