Exposing Common Myths About Smoke Alarms
A fire has the potential to cause major devastation to your home, and it can result in serious injury or death if you do not vacate the building soon after the fire starts. Sadly, it can be difficult to know a fire is happening if you are asleep or busy in another part of the house, and by the time you realize what is happening, it may be too late. Luckily, fire alarms can alert you to this threat, but many homeowners do not know much about these routine safety devices, and learning the answers to these two common fire alarm questions can help you be a safe and responsible homeowner.
Myth: Fire Alarms Only Alert You If Smoke Is Present
A common belief about smoke alarms is that they will only alert you to a danger if smoke is present. While this is true of older model smoke alarms, most modern units are actually designed to monitor for a range of threats. From carbon monoxide to gas leaks, it is possible to buy a detector that can alert you to a shocking array of threats.
However, you should never assume an alarm detects these other substances unless it is clearly labeled. Carefully reading the packaging on your new smoke detectors will let you know what protections you enjoy, and this can help you avoid having a false sense of security.
Myth: If The Alarm Successfully Tests, You Do Not Need To Change The Batteries
Most people are aware that they will need to test the batteries on their smoke detector at a regular basis. However, it is a common problem that many people will avoid changing the batteries if the test is positive. Yet, older batteries will gradually lose their charges. As a result, they may have enough energy to activate the test mode, but when it comes time to alert you to a safety risk, the batteries may be too weak to activate the unit.
To avoid this problem, you should replace your batteries on a regular basis. Typically, you should perform this step at least twice a year. Yet, this does not mean that you can avoid testing the alarms on a monthly basis. This step is still necessary to ensure that your system has not developed problems you are unaware about in between battery changes.
Keeping your family safe from fires, gas leaks and carbon monoxide is a critical part of being a responsible homeowner. In addition to minimizing damages that occur from these problems, you can help your family avoid serious injury or death by monitoring for these problems. After learning the truth behind these common smoke alarm myths, you will be in a better position to protect your home and family from these routine issues.
If you want to have your smoke alarm system inspected professionally to ensure that it's working properly, get in touch with a company like Tri Communications Security Services Inc.
