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Fire and smoke detectors
Fire and smoke detectors
Fire claims amounted to around a third of the total claims paid out in 2005 (Source: Association of British Insurers) and simple precautions can reduce the risk of you face, or, even save your life.Top 12 Tips
- Fit smoke alarms on each level in your home. Keep them free from dust and test them once a week. Consider buying a 10-year alarm; otherwise change the batteries in your alarm every year.
- Make a fire action plan so that everyone in your home knows how to escape if there is a fire.
- Keep the exits form your home clear so that people can escape if there is a fire. Make sure that everyone in your home can easily find keys for doors and windows.
- Take extra care in the kitchen - accidents while cooking account for over half of fires in homes. Never leave young children alone in the kitchen.
- Take extra care when cooking with hot oil. Consider buying a deep-fat fryer which is controlled by a thermostat (if you don't already have one).
- Never leave lit candles in rooms that nobody is in or in rooms where children are on their own. Make sure candles are in secure holders on a surface that does not burn and are away from any materials that could burn.
- Make sure cigarettes are stubbed out properly, disposed of carefully and never smoke in bed.
- Get into the habit of closing doors at night. If you want to keep a child's bedroom door open, close the doors to the lounge and kitchen, it may well help save their life if there is a fire.
- Don't overload electrical sockets. Remember one plug for one socket.
- Keep matches and lighters where children cannot see or reach them.
- Take special care when you are tired or when you've been drinking.
- Don't leave the TV or other electrical appliances on standby as this could cause a fire. Always switch it off and unplug when not in use.
Smoke Alarms
There are two main types of smoke alarms - ionisation alarms and optical alarms:
Ionisation
Ionisation alarms are the cheapest and the most readily available. They are very sensitive to flaming fires (ones that burn fiercely such as chip pan fires) and they will detect this type of fire before the smoke gets too thick.
Optical
Optical alarms are more expensive and more effective at detecting slow-burning fires such as smouldering foam-filled furniture and overheated wiring. Optical alarms are less likely to go off accidentally and so are best for ground-floor hallways and for homes on one level.
As both slow-burning and flaming fires are common, for the best protection you should install one of each. However, if you can't have both it's still safer to have one smoke alarm than none at all. Once you have decided on the type of alarm you then need to decide on the type of power source.
Standard Battery Alarms
An ionisation battery alarm is the cheapest and most basic smoke alarm available. An optical battery alarm is a little more expensive. Both run off 9-volt batteries which you need to test every week and replace once a year or when it beeps regularly, whichever is sooner.
Alarms with 10-Year Batteries
These are slightly more expensive but you save on the cost of replacing batteries. They are available as ionisation or optical alarms and are fitter with a long life lithium battery or a sealed power pack that lasts for 10 years.
Mains-Powered Alarm
These alarms are powered by the homes electricity supply and need to be installed by qualified electricians. Theres no battery to check, although the model Is available with or without battery back-up in case of a power cut.
Remember an alarm only protects you if it works! Keep them free from dust and test them once a week
