Picking the Right Smoke Detector for Your Home

9/25/2020 (Permalink)

Ionization alarms detect quick-moving fires, such as those caused by paper or grease

Take The Following Considerations When Purchasing a Smoke Detector

You probably know the importance of smoke alarms. A working smoke detector increases the odds of you and your family escaping your Oklahoma City, OK, home during a fire. Alarms can also notify you of a small flame on the other side of your house. This may allow you to extinguish the blaze before it causes extensive harm that necessitates fire cleanup and restoration services.
However, choosing the right smoke alarm can sometimes be a challenge. You need reliable detectors that also fit your family's specific needs. Below are some factors to consider when picking your alarms.

1. Type
There are two main types of smoke detectors. Ionization alarms detect quick-moving fires, such as those caused by paper or grease. Photoelectric alarms, meanwhile, are best at detecting slow fires from clothes or electricity.
Ideally, you should purchase both photoelectric and ionization alarms for your house. Since ionization detectors are more sensitive, you may want to keep them away from the kitchen. Otherwise, they could get triggered by smoke from cooking.
You can also install a system that connects all of the detectors. This way, if one smoke alarm goes off, all of them will beep.

2. Convenience
With your busy lifestyle, you don’t want to spend excess time working on a smoke detector. You should thus choose a model that is easy to maintain. If you opt for a battery-powered detector, pick one with drawers that make it easy to change the batteries. You may also want to find an alarm with a removable cover that simplifies the cleaning process.

3. Certification
Finally, pick a detector that has been testified and certified by a respected agency. Alarms that have an "FM " or "UL" label must meet certain standards.
You should take all of the above considerations into account when picking each smoke alarm for your home. By choosing the right detectors and following basic fire safety rules, you can protect both your house and your loved ones.