House fires don’t happen very frequently but when they do the results can be devastating. You only have a few moments to act – failing to do so can cost lives. Having proper fire safety equipment in your kitchen is a great start for being able to address cooking fires quickly during the day, however, the most deadly fires are those that occur at night.
In order to be alerted to a fire in your home you need to have a working smoke detector installed outside every bedroom.
The only way to know if a smoke detector is working is to test it. It’s essential that you do this regularly so that you can have an early warning system if smoke or flame takes over your home while you and your family are sleeping.
Without this protection, you are not likely to wake yourself or if you are roused by the fire, it might be too late to save loved ones or call for help.
Why Should I Install Smoke Detectors?
Smoke detectors are on standby checking for smoke or flames 24/7. This constant activity gives you a security alert, no matter the time of day.
An early fire warning is possibly the only chance you have to get out of a burning home alive. Smoke is soundless and when you are sleeping you lose the ability to smell. Inhaling smoke reduces oxygen levels in your body making reactions sluggish and waking up difficult. A sharp, piercing alarm is designed to wake you from even the deepest sleep and give you plenty of time to get out.
While making sure everyone gets out alive is the number one priority when installing and checking your smoke detectors there are other benefits such as protecting your property and home contents. The earlier you can send for help the more likely a fire brigade is able to arrive and put the fire out before your home is completely consumed. Depending on the type of materials your home is made up of, the fire location, and the source of the fire, it usually doesn’t take long for flames to take hold and destroy everything. Working smoke detectors are able to direct firefighters to the source of the fire so they can get to work quickly to reduce damage and save your valuables.
If that’s not motivating enough, correctly installed smoke detectors are a legal requirement that every Australian home must have. The reason for this legislation is that too many people lose their lives to house fires each year. The loss from fires is devastating and preventable. Working smoke detectors are proven to be effective at helping families wake and leave their homes as well as reducing the extent of damage to property and neighboring properties. You’ll need a licensed electrician to help install your smoke detectors for them to be compliant and have acceptable safety methods.
Installing smoke detectors outside your bedrooms is a small, inexpensive, and easy step towards securing your family’s safety. While it’s true that you might never need to use them if the worst should happen, preinstalled, checked, and powered batteries are the only chance you have of getting everyone out safely. If you need help with selecting the right smoke detector type or knowing the best place to install smoke detectors in your home, call a local electrician who will be able to use their extensive professional experience to give you the very best results and absolute security.
