Do You Have Enough Fire Alarms in Your Home?

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

Make sure you test your alarms frequently.

A fire alarm helps to keep your family safe in Cullowhee, NC when a fire breaks out. Most people think one or two alarms are sufficient, but the National Fire Protection Association recommends that the number of alarms you install should be based in large part on the size of your home.

How Many Alarms Do You Need in Your Home?

The NFPA strongly suggests that alarms be placed in the following rooms to avoid devastating fire damage:

• One alarm should be installed in each bedroom. An additional alarm should be placed in the hallway near the bedrooms. If the bedrooms are situated in different areas of the home, you will need an alarm in each hallway.
• Place one alarm in the kitchen as well.
• Install at least one alarm on each additional level in your home. Don’t forget the basement since a fire can ignite near or inside the furnace.

How Should the Alarms Be Installed?

The fire alarm can be placed on the ceiling, but it also works well attached to the wall. Just make sure it is situated no more than 12 inches from the ceiling since smoke rises quickly during a fire. Alarms positioned in the kitchen should be at least 10 feet away from the stove and other cooking appliances. Smoke damage caused by kitchen appliances can be very difficult to remove, so call a fire restoration service if you need help with the cleanup. Alarms should never be placed too close to windows, fans, or vents since these devices may interfere with fire detection.

Make sure you test your alarms frequently to ensure they work when you need them. Change the batteries twice a year as well. A good rule of thumb is to change them when you change your clocks.
Keep your family safe with a properly installed and maintained fire alarm in each important room in your home.