Fire Safety: Choosing the Best Alarm for Your Home

10/25/2021 (Permalink)

Ionization smoke alarms are more sensitive to smoke created by blazing fires.

Choosing the Best Home Security System

Fire safety is an important task for any homeowner. When it comes to choosing the right smoke alarm setup for your home in Leiper's Fork, TN, there are four main factors you should consider.

1. Number of Detectors

Fire restoration specialists have seen the damage that happens when a fire goes undetected too long. Most experts recommend that you have a smoke detector in every room as well as an extra in the hallway outside each bedroom.

2. Type of Detectors

There are three main types of smoke detectors, and each has its advantages.

• Ionization alarms are triggered when even the smallest smoke particle enters and disrupts the ionized current.
• Photoelectric alarms detect larger smoke particles when the particles alert the light sensor.
• A dual-sensor smoke alarm combines the detection powers of both the ionization and photoelectric alarms.

If your budget does not allow for all your alarms to be dual-sensor, a second option is using photoelectric alarms in areas where you need your detector to be less sensitive, such as the kitchen, and ionization alarms in areas where sensitivity is a plus.

3. Power Sources

Some alarms are powered by built-in wiring with backup batteries while others use battery power alone. If you have a battery-only system, you can install smart batteries, which give you the option of keeping tabs on your home and silencing false alarms when you are away.

4. Size and Maintenance

In a small home, you are probably able to hear a smoke detector go off no matter where you are. If you live in a large home, however, consider installing a system that connects all the detectors to go off simultaneously, giving you and your family a chance to escape before the fire draws near. Choose detectors that are easy to clean, test and silence.

Many factors should be considered when choosing smoke detectors. Making the right smoke alarm choices for your home in Leiper's Fork, TN is crucial for fire safety.