SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES: Are Yours Protecting You?

Written by Andrew Martella

Expert Contributor and Owner of Martella Electric

It is important to do more than just change your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector batteries when they start beeping for no apparent reason. Most units typically provide effective protection for 8 to 10 years. However, just because they’re low-maintenance “appliances,” that doesn’t mean you should completely forget about them. They’re designed to save lives, so they deserve your occasional attention. There are a few ways you can determine the age of your units. Visually inspect the detectors and if they’re yellowish in color or are faded, they are more than likely over 10 years old. You may be able to find the manufacture date on the back of the unit.

If you haven’t looked at detectors recently, there are all kinds of new types and models. There are units that talk, units that have lights and some with sealed lithium batteries that can last 10 years. There are smoke detectors that are battery operated, and others are “hardwired.” Some hardwired units can also have a battery backup. All of these styles can save lives equally well and are therefore valuable investments in your family’s future.

One superior option for the installation of detector units is to have them electrically interconnected. With interconnected detectors, when one is activated, all the other units on the system are also activated. For example, suppose there is an emergency event on the second floor of the home. With interconnected units, even if you are in the basement of the house, they alert all occupants on every floor that there’s an event to respond to, even if it was the detector on the second floor that was initially activated.

For homes with burglar alarm systems, there’s now an option for that system to interface with the home’s smoke detectors. So in the event of a fire, the system will place a call to the local fire department.

Experts suggest that for maximum protection of your family and home, every bedroom should have a smoke detector, and all common areas on each floor, including the basement, should have a combination smoke/carbon monoxide detector. Whatever level of protection your smoke detectors offer, it’s very important to check them periodically. If your detectors require batteries, then at least once a year they need to be replaced. The exception to that rule is if your units have 10-year sealed lithium batteries. In that case, be sure to keep a record of when those batteries were installed and the date they’ll expire in 10 years.

Andrew Martella

Martella Electric

484-997-3097 www.MartellaElectric.com

Don’t be shocked when we show up on time!

Martella Electric Company is a team of courteous, professional, and highly trained electricians. Our priority is to deliver superior customer service backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

•Electrical Service Upgrades

•Landscape Lighting

•Circuit Breaker Panels

•Fireguard Circuit Breakers

•Security Lighting

•Recessed Lighting

•Electric Vehicle Charging

• LED Under-Cabinet Lighting

•Lighting Controls

•Exhaust Fans

• Much more

Residential Service, Repair and Lighting Installation