Every 83 seconds a residential fire breaks out in the United States.  Each year, residential fires injure over 39,000 American children under the age of 14, and in two-thirds of these homes there are no smoke detectors or the smoke detectors don't work.

It's a fact that smoke detectors save lives; according to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), "Homes with smoke detectors typically have a death rate that is 40-50 percent less than the rate for homes without smoke detectors."  
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The NFPA sets the rules and regulations pertaining to residential smoke detectors, but most people aren't aware of these policies.  The NFPA also provides the public with information on the maintenance of smoke detectors and when you should replace them.

Regulations for Smoke Detectors

Because large numbers of smoke detectors are hardwired into the electrical systems of many older homes, retrofitting these residences with new smoke detectors is often difficult.  But upgrading your smoke detectors is essential to ensuring you and your family are safe if a fire ever breaks out in your home.  Below are the NFPA regulations for smoke detectors in existing homes.

  • Place smoke detectors, loud enough to hear through a closed door, outside each bedroom.
  • Install at least one smoke detector on each level of the home.
  • Smoke detectors powered by the home's electrical system must have battery-powered backup.
  • All smoke detectors on each floor must be interconnected.

According to NFPA regulations for newly built homes, additional smoke detectors must be located in each sleeping area.

Replacing and Maintaining Your Smoke Detectors

"Simple steps like maintaining smoke detectors and replacing older ones help diminish the possibility of fire deaths in the home," says John R. Hall, Jr., NFPA's assistant vice president for fire analysis and research.  The rule of thumb is to replace smoke detectors every 10 years.  Your smoke detectors should also be replaced if you don't know how old your smoke detectors are or when you move into a new residence.  

Smoke detectors are crucial fire safety tools, but installing and replacing smoke detectors is only half the battle; proper maintenance is also necessary.  Performing the following tasks makes it easy to keep your smoke detectors in good working condition.

  • Perform a monthly check by pressing the test button on each of your smoke detectors.
  • Replace batteries annually and when the smoke alarm begins to emit the low-battery warning beep.
  • Clean your smoke detectors weekly by vacuuming any accumulated dust or dander, and wipe them monthly with a damp rag.
  • Install long-lasting batteries into all smoke detectors.

Maintenance of your smoke detectors isn't difficult or time consuming, but it is imperative to ensure proper function.

HomeSecurityStore.com has a large variety of smoke detectors in stock.  Whether you are installing smoke detectors into a new home, enhancing your home by adding more detectors, or replacing old smoke detectors, HomeSecurityStore.com is bound to have a smoke detector to fit your needs