Smoke Detectors Save Lives
Out of all of the tools that you have to protect your family, smoke detectors are one of the most important.
Smoke detectors are vital pieces of technology that can save your life or the lives of your family. This is because they warn you of fires quickly. Fires can be incredibly dangerous and even deadly. Even a small fire can quickly because a large, uncontrollable and even deadly fire in a very small amount of time. Due to this, it is important to recognize when there is a hazardous fire situation in your home as soon as possible. They let you know right away when there is a fire at your property. This immediate warning can save you valuable seconds, which could be the differences between escape and disaster. For this reason, it is incredibly important to have functioning detectors installed on your property.
In Most Areas, Smoke Detectors are the Law
In many cities, provinces and states, it is required that all homes have
smoke detectors installed. For example, in Ontario, every home must have working smoke detectors installed on every storey of the home and outside of every sleeping area. This includes the basement. These alarms must be properly maintained to ensure that they work correctly. Landlords must ensure that their rental properties comply with this law and install smoke detectors where they are required by law. Tenants should contact their landlords if they recognize that the right number of smoke detectors is not installed in their home. While many newer homes have smoke detectors wired directly into the home, older homes do not. Whether you live in an older home or a newer home, it is very important that you understand the laws regarding these detectors in your area and that you ensure that all smoke detectors on your property are functioning correctly. It is also important that you check them regularly and that you ensure they are always working correctly.
Statistics on Fires
In Ontario, over 90% of residential fires are preventable. One out of every 100 preventable fires is a fatal fire. Out of the 609 preventable, fatal residential fires in Ontario, only 35% properties had functioning smoke detectors that operated. In 25% of fires, a smoke alarm was present, but it did not operate correctly. In the majority of those fires, it was determined that the reason for smoke alarm failing to activate was either due to the batteries being dead or no battery being installed. In 21% of fatal fires in Ontario, there was no smoke alarm present. Whether or not a functioning smoke alarm was present was undetermined in 19% of these fires. As you can see, having functioning smoke detectors in your home can save your life. Not having one can be incredibly dangerous.
Types of Smoke Detectors
In general, there are two basic types of smoke detectors. Each type is better at detecting different types of fires. In order to protect yourself, your family and your home from any type of fire, you may want to look into installing both types of detectors or installing one that utilizes both technologies. One of the types of detectors is called an ionization detector. These smoke detectors are better able to detect fast, flaming fires such as those that burn combustible materials like paper or grease. These are the kind of fires that burn rapidly and spread quickly. About 70% of fires can be detected by ionization smoke detectors. The other 30% of fires can be best detected by photoelectric smoke detectors. These tools are better for detecting slow-burning fires that may smoulder for hours before bursting into flames. An example of this type of fire is a cigarette burning on a bed.
Monitored Smoke Detectors
While standard fire alarms and smoke detectors save lives, there is a way to make these devices even more effective. This is by installing monitored these detectors at your home. Monitored detectors allow you to live with the peace of mind in knowing that your property is always being watched over by the trained staff at the central monitoring station. No matter where you are, you will not have to worry about the safety of your home. With monitored detectors, the central station is alerted right away. They can then take the appropriate actions to ensure your safety. If you are not at home and you do not have monitored detectors installed, there is a very good chance that no one will be aware of a fire that breaks out, even if you have regular fire alarms installed. This could be costly and dangerous. A fire could burn for quite some time and cause a great deal of damage before anyone notices it and responds to the fire. Thankfully, this is not the case with monitored
smoke detectors. The central station will be notified right away and they can contact you or the appropriate authorities. Monitored fire alarms and smoke detectors protect your home 24/7, no matter where you are. As an added benefit, insurance companies recognize the many benefits of monitored detectors and fire protection. They understand the incredible layer of protection that these devices provides and thus they typically offer lower rates and discounts to people who have monitored smoke detectors installed on their properties. Monitored detectors provide additional protection, safety and peace of mind. Protecting yourself and your family from fires, smoke, carbon monoxide and other hazards is important. Smoke detectors, fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and other tools allow you to ensure that your family is always safe and secure.
