Working smoke alarms save lives – test yours weekly

AHEAD of annual National Fire Safety Week, people are being reminded of this past year’s message about the importance of regularly testing your smoke alarm.

Smoke alarms will go off if there is a fire in your home. An alarm will sound when it detects smoke.

You need several smoke alarms in your home. You won’t be able to smell smoke when you’re asleep. Our sense of smell doesn’t work when we are asleep. Inhaling smoke can also put you in a deeper sleep.

Keep your smoke alarms in good working order with enough battery power. Test your smoke alarms regularly while also following these helpful tips.

Where to install smoke alarms

Get at least one smoke alarm for each floor in your home. For example, the ground floor and first floor if you live in a two-storey house. Put one in your hallway and one at each upper level in the landing area.

Fit them between the sleeping areas and the kitchen and living rooms.

A smoke alarm on each floor in your home is a minimum. Aim to have one in every room so that fire will be discovered as early as possible. Install a smoke alarm in the: living room; kitchen; bedrooms used by children or vulnerable people; bedrooms used by smokers; bedrooms with a television or other electrical appliances like a computer; garage. Heat detectors

Heat detectors are also known as heat alarms. They can be used in places where a smoke alarm might go off unnecessarily.

These areas include kitchen areas where there are fumes from cooking; areas where there could be smoke from cigarettes; rooms where there is an open fire.

Position heat detectors at ceiling level. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Alarms you can install if you have a hearing difficulty

If you are deaf or have impaired hearing, you may not hear the sound of a smoke alarm. The alarm could also go off at night when the person is not wearing a hearing aid.

You can get smoke alarms that use strobe lights or vibrating pads. These alert people with hearing difficulties to danger from fire.

Testing your smoke alarm

It is recommended that you test smoke alarms once a week. This is to check that they are working correctly. You can test them by pressing the test button. If you can’t reach the test button, use the handle tip of a sweeping brush to press it.

Replacing batteries

You should replace the batteries with new ones: when the old ones aren’t working; as soon as you hear the warning beep; once a year in standard alarms

Replace batteries immediately if they are not working. Do not put it off. Keeping the alarm clean

Vacuum the smoke alarms regularly and wipe the cover. If they get clogged with dust they may not work properly.

Replacing your alarm

There is an expiry date on smoke alarms. Replace the whole alarm when it reaches this expiry date. If you have a 10-year smoke alarm, you need to replace it after 10 years.

Carbon monoxide alarms

You also need to have carbon monoxide alarms in your home.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen with gas, oil, coal or other fuels. You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide.