2 minute read
Smoke Detectors Save Lives! Are Yours Protecting You?
by Expert Contributor Andrew Martella, Owner of Martella Electric
Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors can typically provide effective protection for 8 to 10 years. Just because they’re low-maintenance “appliances,” that doesn’t mean you should completely forget about them. They’re designed, after all, to save lives! They deserve your occasional attention.
There are a few ways you can easily determine the age of your units. First, visually inspect the detectors. If they’re yellowish in color or are faded, chances are they’re over 10 years old. You can also look on the back of the unit, where you may find the manufacture date. After you’ve determined if your units are expired, you can choose from a variety of replacement options.
Today, there are units that talk, have lights and have sealed lithium batteries that last 10 years. Some smoke detectors can be operated only by battery. Others are “hardwired” 120-volt only. Some hardwired units can also have a 120-volt battery backup. All three of these styles can be equally life-saving, and therefore, valuable investments in your family’s future.
A very effective use of your detector units is to have them electrically interconnected. The benefit of that type of installation is when one detector is activated, all other units on the system are also activated. This allows someone who’s on the second floor of the home to know there’s an event to respond to an event if it was the detector in the basement that was initially activated.
For homes with a burglar alarm system, there’s now an option to interface that system with the home’s smoke detectors, and in the event of a fire, the system will place a call to the local fire department.
For maximum protection of your family and home, every bedroom should have a smoke detector. And all common areas on each floor of the home, including the basement, should have a combination smoke/carbon monoxide detector.
Whatever level of protection your smoke detectors offer, it’s very important to change the batteries once a year. The exception to that rule is if your units have 10-year sealed lithium batteries, in which case be sure to keep a record of when those batteries were installed and the date they’ll expire out 10 years.
Martella Electric Company is a team of courteous, professional, and highly trained electricians. Our priority is to deliver superior customer service backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
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Andrew Martella, Sr., Owner of Martella Electric in Broomall
484-997-3097
www.MartellaElectric.com
