Smoke Alarms save lives. Each year, over 2,600 people die from home fires, normally between 10 PM and 7 AM when residents are sleeping. Fire and smoke move very fast. Even when the alarm wakes you up, you have very little time to escape.
There are many brands of smoke alarms, but they all fall under three catagories:
- Ionization – Sound more quickly when a flaming, fast moving fire occurs.
- Photoelectric – Quicker at sensing smoldering, smoky fires.
- Combination (dual sensor) – Combination ionization and photoelectric in one unit.
Care of Units
Be sure to install alarms outside sleeping areas and one on each floor of your home.
Install on wall 12 inches below the ceiling.
Be sure to test (Push to Test Button) every month!
Be sure to replace batteries in the Spring and Fall each year.
Be sure to replace all alarms after seven years of service.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms save lives. Carbon monoxide alarms will not detect smoke, fire or other gas.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tastless poison gas that can be fatal when inhaled.
Mild Exposure: Headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue.
Medium Exposure: Severe throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, increased heart rate.
Extreme Exposure: Unconsciousness, convulsions, cardio-respiratory failure, death.
High CO Levels: Above 100 parts per million (PPM).
Mid CO Levels: Between 50 to 100 PPM
Low CO Levels: Below 50 PPM
Possible Sources
Automobile exhaust, furnace, fireplace, stoves, gas clothes dryers, water heaters, space heaters, generators, wood stoves, blocked chimneys, corroded vent pipes or charcoal grills, among others…
Care of Units
Install one unit outside of sleeping areas and one on each floor of your home.
Do not install within 5 feet of cooking or heating appliances.
Do not install near ceiling fans, doors or windows.
Do not install in cold areas.
Wall Mounting – At Eye Level
Tabletop Mounting – No more than 3 feet from the floor.
Be sure to replace units after 7 years of service.