How To Avoid False Alarms From Your Smoke Detector

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How To Avoid False Alarms From Your Smoke Detector
How To Avoid False Alarms From Your Smoke Detector
Anonim

It is annoying to have a smoke detector that triggers the alarm when there is no fire. After all, false alarms even compromise the effectiveness of the device. The best way to avoid this kind of inconvenience is to carefully choose the location of the detector. Read on for help.

Steps

Avoid False Alarms With Your Smoke Alarm Step 1
Avoid False Alarms With Your Smoke Alarm Step 1

Step 1. Do not place the smoke detector in the kitchen

The vapors produced in the kitchen can activate the alarm. Rather, to detect any fires, the most suitable device in this type of environment is the thermal alarm, because it reduces the risk of false alarms being triggered.

Avoid False Alarms With Your Smoke Alarm Step 2
Avoid False Alarms With Your Smoke Alarm Step 2

Step 2. Do not install the smoke detector in the garage

Car exhaust fumes can set off the alarm. The garage, like the kitchen, is another place that would be better served by a heat detector.

Avoid False Alarms With Your Smoke Alarm Step 3
Avoid False Alarms With Your Smoke Alarm Step 3

Step 3. Do not place the smoke detector near a fireplace (or other open flame heating systems, such as oil and gas stoves)

In fact, placed near a fireplace, it will almost always activate while the fire burns. A CO2 (carbon monoxide) detector is best suited in spaces that are normally exposed to open flames for long periods of time (for example, a fireplace). A heat detector and CO2 detector located in these environments provide maximum protection, minimizing the risk of false alarms.

Avoid False Alarms With Your Smoke Alarm Step 4
Avoid False Alarms With Your Smoke Alarm Step 4

Step 4. Do not place the smoke detector near fresh paint or freshly painted objects that have been aired to dry

The chemicals in the paint could trigger the device.

Avoid False Alarms With Your Smoke Alarm Step 5
Avoid False Alarms With Your Smoke Alarm Step 5

Step 5. Keep the smoke detector out of rooms where showers are installed and away from doors leading to bathrooms

The steam from the water can trigger a false alarm when someone takes a shower and when you open the bathroom door.

Avoid False Alarms With Your Smoke Alarm Step 6
Avoid False Alarms With Your Smoke Alarm Step 6

Step 6. A screeching alarm means the battery is low and therefore needs to be replaced

Change it right away. It is a good practice to replace the batteries when you need to set the clocks between summer and winter time.

Avoid False Alarms With Your Smoke Alarm Step 7
Avoid False Alarms With Your Smoke Alarm Step 7

Step 7. Keep the detector clean

Older "photoelectric" smoke detectors trigger the alarm when the internal light beam fails to fully reflect on a special sensor installed inside the device. If dust and other foreign bodies interfere with this beam of light, a false alarm goes off. Prevent this by vacuuming any debris from above the detector slots or openings every few months (no need to remove or unplug the detector) or after an alarm.

Avoid False Alarms With Your Smoke Alarm Step 8
Avoid False Alarms With Your Smoke Alarm Step 8

Step 8. Test the smoke detector several times a year to see if it works properly

It is not appropriate to press the "test" button.

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