A survey found that between 2012 and 2016, almost three of every five homes that had a fire did not have a working smoke detector or any smoke detector at all.
Although your home may already have smoke detectors, it is possible they aren’t the best type available for safety.
If you want to keep your family safe, you need to know what type of detectors you have in your home.
Are you considering getting new smoke detectors? If so, check out some information below about smoke detector installation and what you need to consider.
Smoke Detector Installation: Is It DIY?
A lot of residential buildings use the cheapest option when it comes to smoke detectors. But why?
For the most part, the idea that a fire will never happen to you is likely to blame. When people don’t think a high quality smoke detector will ever be needed, they don’t buy one.
How can you ensure your property and family are safe?
Choosing a hard-wired or interconnected smoke detector system is the smarter choice. But can you install it yourself?
Hard-Wired Smoke Detectors
A hard-wired smoke detector is connected straight through the house’s electrical system. They have batteries that act as a backup method for power.
These smoke detectors will still have power even if you forget to replace the batteries, however, because they are powered through the home’s electrical circuit.
In some states, these types of systems are actually required within newer builds. Check with your electrician to see if your home already has this system in use.
Interconnected Smoke Detectors
An interconnected smoke detector is another great option for smoke detection because it means the detectors work together.
If one of the detectors is detecting fire or smoke, the other alarms will be alerted and all of them will sound at once. This is a great way to know for sure that danger is somewhere and you need to get out.
Another great benefit of these detectors is that they can tell you where the smoke is actually being found to keep you safer. These are wireless or hard-wired during installation within the home.
Hiring a Professional Electrician
There are a lot of specifics to consider when installing smoke detectors. With the more advanced options described, you can easily mess it up if you don’t know what you are doing.
Regardless of the type of smoke detectors you choose, you need to have a qualified electrician do the installation for you.
It is safer and easier for you to have a professional do the job, but you also get the peace of mind knowing that it was done correctly. Any electrician you hire will know and follow the regulations that are required for your home to meet.
Protect Yourself and Get Your Smoke Detector Today
It is a smart choice to be proactive rather than reactive. When it comes to fire and smoke protection, this choice can mean life or death.
Smoke detector installation is a crucial part of keeping your belongings, property, and loved ones safe in the event of a fire.
If you’d like to find out more about getting help from an electrician with your smoke detectors, contact us to see how we may be able to help.