Prevent a Catastrophe!
Ensure your Smoke Alarms are Working Properly
Nothing is more important to you and your family’s safety and well-being than a properly working smoke alarm. Smoke alarms are a crucial necessity in preventing smoke inhalation, fire deaths and major property damage. Working smoke alarms provide an early warning of a fire, giving you time to escape. According to the National Fire Protection Association, three out of every five residential fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no working smoke alarms or none at all. You need to maintain and test your smoke alarms regularly to ensure they are always working properly.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that you test your alarms monthly and replace them every 10 years. Batteries should be replaced also every year. Find out more about smoke alarms from the NFPA below:
https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Staying-safe/Safety-equipment/Smoke-alarms
How to Test Smoke Alarms
The 3 steps you can take in testing your smoke alarms include:
Notify Security Company and Household
Make sure you notify your household and your security company if you are connected to one that you are testing your smoke alarms. This will prevent anyone from taking any unnecessary action.
Test Each Unit
Locate the test button on each smoke alarm and hold it down for a few seconds until the alarm sounds. Make sure each alarm being tested can be heard from each room in the house including the garage if it is attached to the house. If the alarm sound is weak or doesn’t sound at all the detector is not powered properly. In this case try replacing the batteries. If the detectors are hard wired call an electrician. The detector may be malfunctioning and most likely needs to be replaced. Most detectors have a ten-year life span. As the detector reaches its recommended life span it’s a good idea to replace them. Always follow the manufactures instructions and recommendations. If your test alarm sounds it should automatically shut off in a few seconds or you may need to push the test button a second time depending on your type and style of detector.
Ensure Alarms are Clean
In addition to testing your alarms manually, be sure to properly check to see if the alarms sensors are working also. First make sure the sensors are clear of any debris like cobwebs or bugs, you can use an office equipment aerosol can spray and clear any debris. Then check the sensors by using a smoke detector aerosol spray which should set the alarm off in a few seconds. If the alarm doesn’t sound replace it immediately. You can also use real smoke to test the alarm by holding a couple of lit matches two feet below the alarm. If the alarm does not sound, replace it.
Contact Southwest Restoration for Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Repair and Restoration
We Can Help You Recover After a Fire
Having a fire is not only scary for all involved, it is also emotionally traumatic. Southwest Restoration understands the stress that you are feeling which is why we offer fire and smoke restoration services. Victims of a fire need emotional recovery time. Let the family at Southwest Restoration help you through this tragic event. Southwest Restoration can help with the clean-up, restoration and remodeling of your home. We can also help alleviate some of your stress by direct billing your insurance company. Take the time you need for yourself and your family to recover emotionally from this tragedy. Contact Southwest Restoration today and let us help you restore your home or business as smoothly and quickly as possible.
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