Why are smoke alarms important?

Every year thousands of people die from fires in the home. Fire kills an estimated 4,000 Americans every year. Additionally, 30,000 people are seriously injured by fire each year.

Although we feel safe and secure at home, about two-thirds of fire deaths that occur in the United States happen while the victim is in his own home. Our homes are where we are at the greatest risk and where we must take the most precautions. Most deaths result from smoke or poisonous gas inhalation, not from flames.

A majority of fatal fires occur in residential buildings between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. when occupants are most likely to be asleep.

A recent study by Johns Hopkins University, funded by the United States Fire Administration, found that 75% of residential fire deaths and 84% of residential fire injuries could have been prevented with the proper use of smoke alarms.

Smoke alarms will provide you and your loved ones with early warning in the event of a fire. No home should be without smoke alarms!

What if I can't afford or am unable to install a smoke alarm?

To prevent the loss of life from residential fires Clark County Fire & Rescue provides free smoke alarms and installation / maintenance of smoke alarms in owner occupied homes, if the homeowner is a senior citizen, disabled, or living on a low income. Click here to learn more about our smoke alarm program.

I've heard that there are several types of smoke alarms, can you explain this?

Yes, there are two basic types of smoke alarms; ionization and photo-electric.

Ionization alarms - Ionization smoke alarms feature a harmless radioactive source within a dual detection chamber. Ionization alarms respond to invisible by-products of combustion. They operate by sensing a change in the electrical conductivity across the detection chamber. The advantage of the ionization alarm is that the smoke can be invisible to the human eye, while remaining very much visible to the ionization detector.

Photoelectric alarms - Photoelectric smoke detectors work on an entirely different principle. Photoelectric detectors look for the presence of visible by-products of combustion in the detection chamber. When a sufficient density of visible combustibles fill the detection chamber, the detector sounds an alarm condition.

How do I know which type of alarm to use?

There are several things to consider when choosing a smoke alarm.

Think about which areas of the house you want to protect, where fire is most dangerous, how many alarms you'll need, etc.

The safest bet is to have both kinds, or a combination alarm with a battery back-up. Be sure to check for a testing laboratory level on the detector. It means that samples of that particular model have been tested under operating conditions. Check to see if it is easy to maintain and clean. Be sure bulbs and batteries are easy to purchase and convenient to install.

Any smoke alarm you install should have a test button. When the button is depressed, the audible alarm sounds the warning signal. If you have a hearing impaired person in your house, consider the installation of a hearing impaired smoke alarm. These are special units that feature a powerful strobe light to alert the hearing impaired of a fire.

How many smoke alarms should I have and where should I put them?

Clark County Fire & Rescue recommends that you install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, making sure that there is an alarm outside every separate sleeping area. New homes are required to have a smoke alarm in every sleeping room and all smoke alarms must be interconnected.

Mount smoke alarms high on walls or ceilings (remember, smoke rises). Ceiling mounted alarms should be installed at least four inches away from the nearest wall; wall-mounted alarms should be installed four to 12 inches away from the ceiling. If you have ceilings that are pitched, install the alarm near the ceiling's highest point.

Don't install smoke alarms near windows, doors, or ducts where drafts might interfere with their operation.

Never paint smoke alarms. Paint, stickers, or other decorations could keep the alarms from working.

How often should I test my smoke alarms?

Test your smoke alarms once a month, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Do I ever need to replace my smoke alarms?

If smoke alarms in your home are more than 10 years old, Clark County Fire & Rescue recommends that they be replaced.

Why?

According to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), aging smoke alarms don't operate as efficiently and often are the source for nuisance alarms. Older smoke alarms are estimated to have a 30% probability of failure within the first 10 years. Newer smoke alarms do better, but should be replaced after 10 years. Unless you know that the smoke alarms are new, replacing them when moving into a new residence is also recommended.

Smoke alarms, when properly installed give an early audible warning needed to safely escape from fire. That's critical because 85% of all fire deaths occur in the home, and the majority occur at night when most people are sleeping.

Simple steps like maintaining smoke alarms and replacing older ones help diminish the possibility of fire deaths in the home - please protect your loved ones!

My smoke alarms won't stop "chirping" what do I do?

The alarm "chirps" warn that the battery is low. Hint: schedule battery replacements for the same day you change your clocks from daylight savings time to standard time in the fall.

If you have additional questions or need assistance purchasing or installing smoke alarms please call 360-887-4609.