Be honest. Have you ever disconnected your smoke alarm battery because of annoying chirping or beeping that comes from the unit when there is no smoke present? Or maybe you disconnected your smoke alarm’s battery after a cooking mishap caused smoke to come from your oven.
Smoke alarms are so common these days that it’s easy to take them for granted. But they only work if they’re either hard-wired or powered by a fully functioning battery. What are the consequences of not having a functioning smoke alarm in your home? According to a 2021 report published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), almost three out of five home fire deaths are caused by fires in properties with no smoke alarms or smoke alarms that failed to operate.
Now that we know that smoke detectors are essential, the questions remaining are: how many does a home need? How to you ensure they’re properly powered? And how often do you need to replace older smoke detector units?
How Many Detectors Do You Need?
- One on each floor – this includes basements and attics.
- One in each bedroom – to wake you up in time for an early warning and quick escape.
- Hallways and common rooms – halls outside of your kitchen, living room, and family room should each have its own unit.
How Do You Ensure Your Detectors Are Properly Powered?
- Regularly check the battery – Each detector has a test button. If they alarm sounds weak, it’s time to replace the battery.
- Change the battery properly – turn off the detector, put in the new battery with the correct polarity. Test the detector.
When Do You Need to Replace Your Detector?
- At least every ten years – after a decade, the sensors in smoke detectors become less sensitive.
- If it beeps a lot – nothing lasts forever. Even if your smoke detector is just a few years old, if it starts giving off false alarms or beeps irregularly, it’s probably time for a new one.
What Are the Benefits of Smart Smoke Detectors?
- Remote alerts – a smart detector can send you notification on your smartphone if it’s been triggered in any way.
- Interconnectivity – if you have an integrated smart home, your smart detector can automatically turn on lights and alert security cameras.
- Self-testing – many units perform self-tests. If the unit isn’t working properly, it will send you a notification – even if it’s just to replace the battery.
- Voice assistant integration – If your alarm is going off for any reason, you won’t have to climb up a ladder to reset it. You can just tell Alexa, Google, or Siri to silence false alarms.
What Are the Advantages of Having a Hardwired System?
- They’re reliable – Since hardwired units are directly connected to your home’s power, they’re an “always-on” solution. And if you have a power outage, they come with back-up batteries.
- Long-term savings – the cost of replacing batteries adds up over years.
- Reduced maintenance – no more checking batteries
Looking for more information on smart smoke detectors, read our blog post from January 2020. And if you’re looking to upgrade to a hardwired system, it’s important to note that hardwired smoked detectors are not a DIY solution. They require professional installation by a licensed and insured residential or commercial electrician. As a licensed contractor in New York City approved by Con Edison, all work done by PK & Altman Electric’s team of experts is guaranteed to meet both local and national safety code standards.
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