Did you know that you should replace your smoke detectors once every ten years? That’s right, after about ten years of working hard to alert you and your loved ones in the event of a fire, your smoke alarms may stop functioning properly.
Most smoke detectors require some TLC along the way as well. In addition to monthly testing, you should also replace the batteries in your smoke detectors annually. As your trusted independent home insurance agents in North Phoenix, we want to help make sure you have the right smoke detectors to suit your needs.
How to Find the Right Smoke Detectors for Your Home
Once a fire starts it can easily spread across your home in a matter of minutes; making the need for state-of-the-art smoke detectors a must. But how do you know which type of smoke detector is right for your home layout? When choosing the right smoke detectors for your home, it’s important to keep a few key points in mind:
- Smoke detectors should be placed on each level of your home
- You should have a smoke detector in each room, including hallways
- Smoke detectors that work to detect flaming and smoldering fires should be placed in each bedroom
Smoke Detector Basics
While some fires flame, others will smolder. Because all fires burn differently, it’s best to be prepared for all possible emergency situations.
- Ionization Smoke Detectors – This type of smoke detector is made to detect small particles that are found in fast, flaming fires. However, independent testing has shown that they are less likely to alert homeowners in the event of a smoky, smoldering fire. Additionally, they can often sound off with a false alarm from steam or burnt food, so they are best installed away from the kitchen.
- Photoelectric Smoke Detectors – This type of smoke detector is ideal for detecting large particles that are most commonly found in smoky, smoldering fires. They are less likely to alert homeowners in the event of a fast-moving fire, and they don’t typically sound false alarms around steam of burning food, so they’re great for the kitchen area.
- Dual-Sensor Smoke Detectors – You’ll get the best of both worlds with this type of smoke detector. They work to quickly identify both flaming and smoldering fires, so they are ideal for bedrooms and hallways. However, they don’t cover all the bases. Even with dual-sensor smoke detectors throughout your home, you should still install carbon monoxide detectors as well.
Other Features
Hard-wired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work by tying into the existing wiring in your home but do require professional installation. Alternatively, you can choose to go with battery-only detectors, which are much more simple to install and work during power failures. Keep in mind that you’ll need to replace those batteries annually. And while there are many different types of smoke detectors available on the market today, experts agree that interconnected systems offer the highest level of safety, as they ring all throughout the home in the event of a fire.
Protect Your Home and Family with Comprehensive Home Insurance
In addition to finding the perfect smoke detector system to fit your needs, comprehensive home insurance is the best way to protect your home and assets in the event of a fire. Want to learn more about the benefits of total insurance protection? Contact Smart Move Insurance for more information and be sure to request a quote today.
