Reduce the Risk of Death with Smoke Detectors

3 October, 2018
Smoke detector mounted on roof in apartment

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 37% of all deaths that were caused by fires in homes between 2007 and 2011 were in homes that didn’t have smoke detectors. Furthermore, 60% of all fire-related home deaths were caused because either a smoke detector wasn’t installed or because it wasn’t working as it should. By having a properly functioning and installed smoke detector in your home, you will reduce the probability of death from a house fire by almost half. Below are some easy and effective tips that you can use in order to reduce the risk of death from a fire.

Selecting the Right Smoke Alarm

Smoke alarms that are interconnected are highly recommended by the National Fire Protection Association; this is because all of the alarms in the premises will be activated as soon as a single detector detects smoke. As such, you don’t have to worry about not hearing a detector go off while you are asleep, and all of your loved ones will be alerted in the shortest time possible. In the event of a fire, every second can be the difference between life and death, so choosing a brand that offers interconnected smoke alarms is an absolute must for complete peace of mind.

Moreover, if you decide to go with a battery operated unit then you must test it on a monthly basis. Hard-wired units usually have a backup battery installed so that they can still be operational in the event of a blackout. However, you should still test a hard-wired unit every month to make sure that it is working as intended. In the end, going with a hard-wired model is preferred because of the battery backup feature that it provides.

There is also the question of whether to go with a photoelectric or ionization model. The difference is that the photoelectric model will detect fires that are smouldering quicker than its ionization counterpart. However, the ionization units are also no slouch and will detect flaming fires more effectively than its photoelectric counterpart. Given that they both have unique strengths, we would recommend that you purchase at least one of each so that you are completely protected from all types of fire.

Finally, if you, or someone you love, is hearing impaired or deaf then you may want to consider picking up an alarm that includes state of the art bed shakers and/or strobe lights. The aforementioned features can also save the lives of those who are heavy sleepers.

 

How To Properly Install a Smoke Alarm

To ensure that you have comprehensive protection in and around your home you should install a smoke alarm in every bedroom, as well as outside of each bedroom. Every floor in your residence should also have at least one smoke alarm properly installed, which includes your basement if applicable. Positioning is also crucial, so you should install each unit high-up on your walls and have units mounted on your ceiling; the reasoning behind this is that hot air carrying smoke will actually rise above cool air, so placing the unit at an elevated position will allow for faster smoke detection.

Smoke alarms should also be thrown out every decade and replaced with new fully functioning units. You should keep them away from the kitchen, as false alarms are quite common when cooking meals. The general rule of thumb is that a smoke alarm should be installed at least ten feet away from your stove to reduce the probability of false alarms.

What to Do When Your Smoke Detector Goes Off

The first thing to do is be prepared, so take the time to devise a fire evacuation and safety plan with your family. You should decide on a set location where all of your family members will meet in the event that a fire occurs. For instance, you may decide to meet up with everyone at a specific tree or mailbox that is a good distance away from your home to avoid smoke inhalation.

Furthermore, if you have young children, elderly people, or people with disabilities living with you then they should be assigned guardians who will step up to help them exit the premises safely. It also goes without saying that you must stop whatever it is that you were doing and immediately exit the premises as soon as a fire alarm goes off.

Do not panic or wait around and remember the plan that you’ve established to exit safely. You should also not re-enter your home until firefighters tell you it is safe to do so or if you are 100% certain that it was just a false alarm.

Fire safety is something that should never be taken for granted. Accidents do happen, often when people least expect them, so it is best to plan ahead in the event of a fire, and one of the most effective ways to do so is to install several functional smoke alarms in and around your home.

If you would like to learn more about how to reduce the risk of death with smoke detectors then Hi-Lite Electric Inc can help. We have over 35 years of experience in smoke and carbon monoxide detector installations, aluminum wiring, surge protection and other electrical maintenance, repair and installations services in Toronto, York and Peele. For more information, contact us here.



Leave A Comment

avathar icon


Riaz Jilani
Riaz Jilani
2024-06-05
I had another electrician which not giving me time and then I search on google and found Hi Lite with good reviews so I decided to try them. I send massage on their website and after 30 minutes I got call from them they booked me different time which was not suitable for me. I requested them and they change according to my convenient.electrician came on time complete the job also advised me some unseen problems also fixed perfectly and my satisfaction . First time I really impressed I recommend them they are trouble free and with good reputation
Michael Butler
Michael Butler
2024-05-10
Stove wasn't working. Stove people said it was an electrical issue. Steven came over, showed me what was wrong. Now I know more about electricity. 5/5 would electricity again.
Heather D
Heather D
2024-05-10
Excellent service. Matt came out after hours to resolve an emergency situation where an outlet in our garage caught on fire. He was here within the hour and completed the work efficiently. In addition he communicated clearly all the necessary steps needed. We will definitely be calling him back for additional assistance in the future if the need arises.
Amrik Bhogal
Amrik Bhogal
2024-04-29
Excellent service! We had a problem with some receptacles in a couple of rooms in our house. Tried the usual resetting the breakers and GFI plugs, but to no avail. Called Hi-Lite Electric based on a recommendation from a friend. Matthew from Hi-Lite come over, diagnosed and fixed the problem quickly and efficiently. He was very knowledgeable and kept me in the loop as what he was doing. His estimate was very accurate. I would highly recommend HiLite
Roy Thompson
Roy Thompson
2024-04-29
Matthew and Steven did a fantastic job added two lights in my bedroom, prior to that their was no lights in my bedrooms. i would highly recommend them.
Izabella Hansen
Izabella Hansen
2024-04-23
Had a great experience with Matthew, a licensed electrician. He explained everything I needed thoroughly. Worked efficiently, was professional and curteous. I highly recommend this family run company.
Jo Persad
Jo Persad
2024-04-19
Excellent service. We had a problem with our house wiring and Matthew diagnosed and fixed the problem quickly and efficiently. He was very polite and pleasant and informative. We would highly recommend HiLite.
James Danakas
James Danakas
2024-03-27
The service we received from Matthew and Luciano was excellent and our problem was solved in a timely matter. Great customer service! Highly recommend!
Corrado Di Rosa
Corrado Di Rosa
2024-03-26
Excellent customer experience! Matthew is always on point with his recommendations and makes sure the issue is solved. Highly recommend Hi-Lite.
Funk Roberts
Funk Roberts
2024-03-18
I recently had the pleasure of having Matt from HiLite Electrical come over to replace my smoke alarm, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the service provided. From the moment Matt arrived, it was clear he was not only highly skilled but also incredibly personable and professional. His attention to detail was impeccable, ensuring that the job was done efficiently and effectively. What truly set Matt apart was his commitment to going above and beyond. He was punctual, arriving right on time, which is a rarity these days. But more importantly, he took the time to explain the process, what the problem was, and why we couldn't get the unit from the foundation in the first place. He was also amazing to talk about in general (especially fitness, training and combat sports, relationships, and other things), and ensured everything was working perfectly before he considered his job done. I highly recommend Hi-Lite Electrical to anyone in need of electrical services. Their team, from speaking with Ang on the phone to set up the appointment (Happy Angela Day..that's an inside joke) to Matt getting it done, Hi-Lite exemplifies the kind of professionalism and expertise that is all too rare. Trust me, if you want a hassle-free, high-quality service, look no further than Hi-Lite Electrical. A big thank you to Ang and Matt for not just meeting, but exceeding my expectations! Super Happy Customer! Funk Roberts

© 2024 Licensed Electrical Installation & Service – Hi-Liteelectricinc.ca

All Rights Reserved.

Powered by TechWyse