If possible, you can always reposition your smoke alarm to just outside the kitchen if you are or live with anyone who is not a great chef.
Do you find yourself plagued by the annoying chirps of a fire alarm or smoke detector? While it might tempting to wrap them up in sweaters and tuck them in a drawer, making sure your smoke alarms are working is essential to your safety. If you are having trouble with false alarms, take note of these five most common smoke alarm problems.
Burnt Food On The Stovetop
Anytime you burn something on the stove, in the toaster, or in the microwave you have the potential to set off a smoke detector. While this may be inconvenient, it’s also a good sign that your system is working correctly. Make sure never to leave what you’re cooking unattended and ensure you’re using your kitchen vents. If possible, you can always reposition your smoke alarm to just outside the kitchen if you are or live with anyone who is not a great chef.
High Humidity
Sometimes, smoke alarms have a difficult time understanding the difference between the particles in smoke and the makeup of high moisture. In places with high humidity, you may notice your alarm go off more frequently. Steam can cause this same effect. To prevent this misfire, make sure to add a dehumidifier to your home and use proper ventilation when showering and cooking.
Low Batteries
One of the most common reason for a smoke alarm to make noise isn’t because of smoke or humidity, but because it needs batteries. Most alarms need to have their batteries replaced frequently. Some suggest that they should be replaced twice a year to ensure they’re functioning properly. Additionally, it’s a good idea to ensure that alarms are replaced every ten years. If you move into a home and can not tell when they were last replaced, it’s best to be on the safe side and replace them all.
Insects
There are plenty of small insects who like to crawl into cramped, dark spaces, like the cover of your smoke alarm. While this reason is less common, it is possible. Open up your smoke alarm, using extreme care, to see if there are any visible signs of insects. If you do have a wriggly culprit, clean the alarm out and then use a pest control spray around your fire alarms.
Dirt and Dust
As with insects, anytime a foreign object makes its way into the smoke alarm sensor it may begin to sound. When you have a significant amount of dirt and dust in the air (as you would if you were remodeling for instance), you may notice that your smoke alarm is more likely to go off. To clean it out you will want to open it carefully and then use either a vacuum attachment or an aerosol cleaner for electronics to remove any dirt and dust.
Commercial and Residential Fire Prevention from Judd Fire Protection
If you want to ensure your home and business are safe throughout the year, trust Judd Fire Protection, LLC. We have over two decades of experience in designing, installing, inspecting, and repairing residential and commercial fire protection systems. We serve clients throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia. If you are interested in finding out more about our services and protecting your home and business, give us a call at 410-871-3480 or contact us online. For more fire safety tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.