In the UK, the Fire Brigade has to respond to over 600,000 calls every year which results in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. Statistically speaking, someone who hasn’t got a smoke or fire alarm in their home is twice as likely to die as a person who has this security. Despite this, there are still thousands of families who go without a smoke alarm. It is an essential and possibly life-saving purchase so you should consider things like choosing the right alarm, how to fit it and how to take care of it.
After you have decided to buy an alarm and improve your home fire safety you will find that they are quite small and inexpensive. They fit onto your ceiling and are very easy to install. If a fire starts, it will trigger the alarm which will give you and your family vital moments to leave the scene. They can be bought at most DIY and hardware stores. For the sake of secure home fire safety, never buy an alarm that does not conform to the British Standards Institution (BSI). Alarms that meet this standard will be adorned with the distinctive kite mark, so be sure to look for this when purchasing your alarm. Although all smoke alarms seem to work the same, different models use different ways to detect the fire, so you should select the one that is most appropriate for your needs and for where you live.
For the most secure home fire safety you should have one alarm per storey. You install them by simply screwing them into the ceiling. They should be fitted as close to the entrance hall as possible but always keep them away from wall or light fitting. Always place an alarm close to where you are sleeping so that it will wake you up immediately if something is amiss. It is probably best not to fit the alarm in the kitchen as smoke or fumes from cooking could accidentally trigger it. Many people disable alarms for this reason, rendering them worthless.
Effective home fire safety doesn’t take up much of your time. Smoke alarms are quite easily taken care of. In fact, they will only take a few minutes of your time every year to ensure that they are still in perfect working order. Every alarm should have a test button and you should activate the test every month to make certain that it is still activating properly. If you are moving into a new place or if the power has failed, you should also test the alarm. You should occasionally vacuum the inside of the alarm to remove any dust that may block the sensor from working. Finally, each alarm will emit a signal indicating that it is low on battery. When this occurs, immediately change it. Failure to do so could be very costly indeed.
Smoke alarms are essential for home fire safety and should never be treated as nuisances. They are a tiny life saver which are cheap, effective and easy to install. Never buy an alarm that does not meet BSI standards, always place it in your hallway or somewhere close to your bedroom and always ensure that you spend the few minutes it takes per annum to clean and maintain your alarm. You never know when it may save your life.
