About Smoke and Fire Detectors

When there is a fire, smoke and fire detectors give an early warning that enables people to get out safely. Every home should have them installed. In many states it is the law that a home has a certain amount of smoke and fire detectors. It is often a violation to not have one either inside or just outside each bedroom in a home.

• Smoke and fire detectors can be purchased from hardware stores, home improvement stores and local department stores.


• These alarms can be battery-powered or hard wired into the electrical system. Battery-powered detectors can easily be installed by a homeowner. To install hard wired alarms you would need an electrician.


• It is important to test smoke alarms frequently to see if batteries need replacing.


• If your alarm goes off while you are cooking, you should not take it down. Many people take alarms down and then forget to put them back up. Or they consider them a hassle and get tired of taking them down and putting them back up. Remember that if your detector goes off while you are cooking, it is doing it's job.


• You should place these on each level of your home, including the basement.


• There are two types of alarms available, Ionization and Photoelectric. Ionization alarms alert you more quickly to fast moving flames. Photoelectric alarms are better at detecting smoky fires that are smoldering. Buying an alarm that combines both is best.


• These products generally last for between 8 to 10 years before they need to be replaced.