Here at Mister Sparky by Wise Electric Control Inc., we know you care about your home and family, and we want to help you keep them both safe. There are a number of safety features that every homeowner should invest in, and one of the most important of these is smoke detectors–there’s a reason why they are a code requirement. In this article, we will go over some key information you need to know about smoke detectors in order to better protect your home and loved ones.
- Placement- Experts recommend placing a smoke detector in every bedroom of your home, as well as one outside every sleeping area. You should also have at least one detector on every level of the house, including the basement. Placing detectors too close to cooking appliances or bathrooms will lead to false alarms every time they are exposed to smoke or steam, so make sure to place them at least 10 feet away from your stove and 3 feet away from any bathroom with a tub or shower.
- Power- When choosing smoke alarms, you can opt for battery-powered models or ones that connect to your home’s power supply. If you choose the latter option, always make sure the detector has a backup battery in case of power outages.
- Testing- Another thing you need to know about smoke detectors is that they come equipped with a test button that allows you to check that the alarm is still working. We recommend testing your detectors about once a month, just to make sure that the alarm will sound in the event of an emergency.