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The
value of smoke detectors
As we
continue this week with our series on home escape plans, we are going to talk
about one of the most important aspects, which is smoke
detectors.
Without early detection of fire and smoke, your chances of escape decrease
regardless of the time spent practicing escape plans.
In fact experts report that you cut your risk of dying in a house fire in
half by having a smoke detector in your house.
When you compare that to the low cost of smoke detectors, it just doesn’t
make sense to not have them in your home.
If you do not have a smoke detector in your home, you are needlessly
endangering yourself and your family.
Properly installed smoke detectors are your first line of defense against
fire.
You should have smoke detectors installed on every level of your home,
including the basement. There should also be a detector mounted outside every
separate sleeping area in the home.
Many fatal fires happen late at night. New homes are now required to have a
smoke detector in every sleeping area, and all detectors must be
interconnected so that all the detectors will be activated when any one of
the detectors goes into alarm. Detectors should be mounted on the ceiling or
high on walls because smoke rises. Detectors mounted on the ceiling should be
4 inches from the wall, and wall-mounted detectors should be mounted 4-12
inches from the ceiling.
Never paint smoke detectors or put other decorations around them. This
could prevent the detector from working.
It’s also important to maintain the smoke detectors after installation.
Detectors should be tested every month to assure they’re in working order.
Replace batteries when you reset your clocks in the spring and fall or when
the alarm chirps warning that the battery is low. Resist the temptation to
take the battery out of your detector to install somewhere else. It would be
very easy to forget to replace the battery, and your smoke detector is useless
if it doesn’t operate.
It’s also important to remember that smoke detectors do not last forever.
It’s recommended that smoke detectors should be replaced at least every 10
years.
Since the use of smoke detectors became common, fire deaths in this country
have dropped in half. They are the single most important thing you can do to
protect your family.
Make sure you have adequate smoke detectors in your home and make sure they
work. Your life could depend on it.
24/7/365: You call; we respond.
KENNETH LEE KNIGHT is a battalion chief in the High Point Fire Department.
He can be contacted at kenneth. knight@highpointnc.gov.<BR<
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