While it is true that a smoke alarm can sometimes be a nuisance, especially when its battery needs to be changed, a properly installed smoke alarm can really be a life saver. It may seem hard to believe, but even now there are some homes throughout Vancouver, as well as Surrey and Langley that are not currently equipped with a smoke alarm. This may not seem like a very pressing issue, but having a working smoke alarm in your house can greatly increase your chances of surviving should a fire ever break out in your home. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Agency, a working smoke alarm can reduce your chances of being caught in a house fire by 50%, and will go a long way towards keeping your whole family safe.

A good smoke alarm will be able to provide plenty of warning for most types of fires before they cause major damage to your home or put yourself or your loved ones in any danger. Many people often find it annoying to have to turn off a smoke alarm if it goes off while they are cooking, but the fact that your smoke alarm sounds when you are generating smoke in your kitchen should be a comforting sign that you will have plenty of warning if a real fire is started in your house. Smoke alarms are able to detect any number of potential fire hazards such as improperly extinguished cigarettes (which are a major cause of household fires), burning food on the stove or in the oven, and even electrical fires, which usually begin with a sudden spark and smouldering wires. With a properly installed smoke alarm, you can rest assured that virtually any potentially hazardous smoke will be detected.

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Once you have installed smoke alarms in your home, it is important to make sure they are properly maintained. By following these few tips, you will be able to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you and your loved ones will be safe should a fire ever occur:

Teach Children About Fire Safety

You aren’t the only one who needs to know what to do when the fire alarm goes off in your home. If you have children, be sure to give them a proper understanding of what they need to do if they hear the smoke detector go off. Remind them that the loud noise is nothing to be afraid of, and make sure they know how to safely exit the house on their own if necessary.

Install the Proper Amount of Smoke Alarms

When trying to decide how many smoke alarms you will need in your home, keep in mind that it is ideal to have at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home. You will also want to make sure to have smoke alarms in each bedroom, and in any other sleeping space in your home.

Conduct Monthly Tests of Your Alarms

A smoke alarm that is no longer working is not only useless, it is potentially dangerous as well. To avoid this issue all together, make sure you are checking your smoke alarms regularly and be sure to change any batteries if necessary.

For additional peace of mind, you might consider having an electrician install direct wired smoke alarms throughout your house. These won’t require battery changes as often, and you will feel a lot better knowing you have a foolproof warning system installed in your home to keep you and your loved ones safe from a fire. For more helpful safety tips like these, check us out online, or find us on Twitter and Facebook to receive all of our latest updates.