Fitting a smoke alarm really can save your life
You are twice as likely to die in a fire at home if you do not fit at least one smoke detector
The smoke alarm is one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century and really does save lives. If a fire does occur a smoke alarm will alert you to the danger of fire.
Although over 90% of homes have a smoke detector fitted there are still over 4 million homes that do not.
So the key first step is to make sure that you have a smoke detector.
When buying smoke alarms you should buy one for each floor of your home & carefully follow the instructions on where to place it and how to use it.
In terms of which type to buy there are essentially two main types of smoke alarm:
Ionisation Alarms & Optical alarms.
Ionisation alarms are very good at detecting fast-flaming fires, before thick smoke is produced, e.g. chip pan fires.
Optical alarms, based on light scatter, are better at detecting slow-burning fires, like overheated electrical wiring or foam filled furniture.
Usually it is the optical alarm which is better suited to general use in the home.
Ideally buy a smoke alarm with a ten year battery, but if not make sure you change the battery, every six months.
It is critical to not only fit a smoke alarm, but to regularly check it is working. Testing a smoke alarm is very straightforward and easy to do.
It is also important to clean out smoke detectors every six months too - just use a vacuum cleaners to remove dust from inside the detector.
Also replace any smoke detectors that do not work or are over 10 years old.
Existing smoke detectors can be readily converted into monitored systems using MyGARD's AlertGARD technology. Then even if you are away from the home the smoke detector will contact you by phone, text or email.
Further information on smoke detectors from Europe's leading manufacturer, E.I. Electronics is available at www.mygard.com.
