Is Your Smoke Detector Enough?

House fires are horrifying — they can go from sparks to hell In just 30 seconds.. AStill mMost of us don’t think so often About the smoke detector in our house.They are Ultra-modern “smart” detector Or in older school models, we tend to ignore their maintenance. Maybe we Do not replace the battery as often as necessary. If I do not, When do not notice It’s time Replace them with new models..And we probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking About our smoke detector Quality, longevity, and effectiveness. But it should.

Here’s how to know if a smoke detector is enough to protect you and your smoke detector, and when to look for it. It’s time upgrade.

your Smoke detector is certified

When buying a new smoke detector, the first thing you need to look for is the certification mark on the package. Underwriter’s Laboratories and Intertek’s Electrical Testing Labs each put a certification mark on smoke detectors that have passed testing and safety standards.If neither appears in the model, put it back on the shelf..

Choose dual-sensors

Smoke detectors have two main ways to detect a fire. Ionization sensors that use (very) mild radiation to detect smoke, and photoelectric sensors that use light. Both work, but they tend to be better at detecting different types of fires. Ionization sensors are suitable for sudden, fast-moving fires. Photoelectric sensors are also effective in detecting slowly smoldering fires. Instead of figuring out what kind of sensor you need in which area of ​​your house, look for a detector with both.

Some of the latest models What is the difference between cooking smoke and dangerous fire?This is a very useful feature if you get burned on a regular basis dinner..

Consider non-removable battery

Most smoke detectors have a built-in battery, some of which are wired off the electrical wiring of your home. Thus, if the house loses power, The alarm will continue to work. Whether you are installing a wired model or a battery-only model, look for a model with a non-removable battery instead of 9 volts. A non-removable battery is usually as long as the detector itself and lasts about 10 years. 9 volts should be replaced once or twice a year.

Check manufacturing date

Why you have to replace the smoke detector fairly On a regular basis, the sensor may be less sensitive to smoke particles. time.All smoke detectors are stamped with the date of manufacture on the underside (side) of the package and device. Facing the ceiling). Most sensors The detector lasts for about 7-10 years under normal operating conditions. Then replace the detector.

Get what detects cCarbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, an odorless gas that can accumulate in the room and choke during sleep (and impair brain function and eventually faint when awake). You can install a separate CO detector, but it’s best to choose an alarm that looks for both smoke and carbon monoxide. This keeps the replacement schedule consistent and protects every part of the house from both threats.

Consider a “smart” detector

Like everything else, smoke detectors are now “smart”. that is Good reason to go to “Smart” model.. First, the device can automatically call the fire department when it senses smoke. The other is that you are at least aware of the situation because you can issue a warning even if you are not at home.And they Integrated into a wider “smart home” network, the doors can also be unlocked automatically so you won’t slow down during the race...

If you don’t need a complete “smart” solution, look for detectors that are connected to each other when at least one alarm sounds. They all disappear.