Smoke & Carbon Detectors
Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.
Smoke Alarm Safety Tips!
โข A closed-door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement.
โข Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
โข It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound.
โข Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
โข There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use both types of alarms in the home.
โข A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
โข People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
โข Replace all smoke alarms when they are 7-10 years old.
Carbon Monoxide Detectorsย
Although the popularity of carbon monoxide (CO) alarms has been growing in recent years, it cannot be assumed that everyone is familiar with the hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home.
If your home does not have working carbon monoxide detectors, please call Roshtoย immediately! Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips!
โข CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
โข Follow the manufacturerโs instructions for placement and mounting height.
โข Choose a CO alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
โข Call your local fire departmentโs non-emergency number to find out what number to call if the CO alarm sounds.
โข Test CO alarms at least once a month; replace them according to the manufacturerโs instructions.
โข If the audible trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries. If the battery is low, replace it. If it still sounds, call the fire department.
โข If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel arrive.
โข If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.
โข During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
โข A generator should be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.
โข Gas or charcoal grills can produce CO โ only use outside.