How Do Smoke Detectors Save Lives ?

Why do you need smoke detectors?

If there is a fire in your home, smoke detectors is your family’s first line of defence. Smoke detectors give you an early warning that danger is present, and could give your family time to reach safety.

All homes should have smoke detectors. In many new homes smoke detectors are wired directly into the electrical system.  It is advisable to also install battery operated ones, as back up to the wired units.

There are two types of Smoke Detectors.

 There are two types of technology used in smoke detectors and each is better at detecting a certain kind of fire.

The Ionization type is generally better at detecting fast, flaming fires that burn combustible materials rapidly and spread quickly.  Sources include paper burning in a waste basket or a grease fire in the kitchen. These kinds of fires account for 70% of home fires.

The photoelectric type of is generally better suited for detecting slow-burning fires. These fires may smoulder for hours before they burst into flames and are caused by such things as cigarettes burning in couches or bedding. These kinds of fires make up 30% of home fires.

How to minimize your risk.

You can minimize your family’s risk of fire related injury or death by installing the right number of smoke detectors in the right places in your home and by keeping them all in good working order.

1. Install smoke detectors outside each bedroom and sleeping area and on each level of your home, including your basement. Make sure the smoke detectors in your home have the required stamp of approval on the product and packaging.
2. Read and follow every step of the manufacturer’s directions when you install your smoke detectors.
3. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for testing and cleaning your smoke detectors.
4. Change the batteries every 6 months or as often as recommended by the manufacturer.
5. Never “borrow” batteries from your smoke detectors for some other device in the house.
6. Replace any smoke detector that is overt ten years old.

It is also a good idea to develop a family escape plan in case of fire in your home. Practice the plan and make sure your children understand what they should do if they hear warning sounds from smoke detectors. The escape plan should include a meeting point outside the home.

Consumer product safety information in Canada is available at Health Canada web site www.hc-sc.gc.ca