Hey folks, check your fire alarms and batteries in them

[pRON aHOLIC]

I just got back from taking pictures at a multiple unit fire. It looks like a 4 year old child did not make it out. I don't like this aspect of my job and it is even worse when children are involved. Please check your alarms and the batteries in them.

[voodoopenguin]

Every year when we fill in the next year's calendar with birthdays and anniversaries etc. there are the other events put in as well like May 1st, get the chimneys swept and October 1st check all smoke alarms and change the batteries. We also put a label on the battery to say when it was changed...just an extra which doesn't take many seconds and could be so important.

[LaserKun]

Great advice, prona, and another reason this forum can be so helpful - a reminder that could actually save a life...

[lafinfil]

Another concern is what type of smoke detector you have

I never gave this much thought before, but this week a local TV news program had a two part series
about the differences between ionic vs photoelectric based smoke detectors.

They did some testing with the fire department and found that the photo cell type were much faster
in detecting smokey smoldering type fires which are often the most deadly

The ion based ones are the most common out there and make up the majority of the market
and they tend to give better results with flaming fires, but the photo type gave the same results
as the ion based under these conditions.

I usually don't pay much attention to these "investigative reports" but this one is really interesting
and a little frightening - also may explain a lot of those "I never heard the smoke alarm go off" stories.

In the end it seemed the best bet are the dual mode versions that have photo and ion technology
I have about 5 in the house I am going to replace soon (anyone see any deals on dual mode detectors?)

http://www.wthr.com/global/Story.asp?s=6552929

[threeprong]

Thanks for the reminder.

The local fire departments here have a fire safety program that revolves around daylight savings time. Whenever you spring forward, or fall back change your smoke alarm battery.

3P

[Bill in NC]

If you want to prevent fires, avoid open flames.

Students here just lost their entire house because one of them left a single candle burning.

And if you choose to smoke, smoke outside the house.

[RAMd®d]

...and it is even worse when children are involved.

There is nothing worse.


The most prevelent "check your alarm/change you batteries" campaign is to do so when you set your clocks for the time change, twice a year. Obviously this won't apply to some places.

I've always changed mine twice a year. I don't know if once a year would be adequate.

There have been a couple fires in my area lately resulting in the deaths of children (and some adults), and the smoke detectors were found sans batteries. That happens a lot.