Importance of keeping smoke detectors up to date

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Time is of the essence when fire hits your home. Things can rapidly change from smoke to flames, sometimes giving those inside very little time to get outside to safety.

Even though smoke detectors have been required in new construction and in homes undergoing a remodel for decades, not all homes have working detectors. They are broken, have a dead battery, or missing completely.

Batteries in smoke detectors that require them should be changed twice a year. A good time to remember to check your smoke alarm and change the batteries is when you change your clocks twice a year as daylight savings time begins and ends.

All smoke detectors, battery operated or not, need to be changed about every ten years said Tahoe Douglas Fire Marshal Eric Guevin.

As part of the vacation home rental permitting process in El Dorado County, Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) inspects the home for required safety features. Quite often they find issues -- the required detectors are missing, broken or not placed in the right area, said LVFPD Chief Brad Zlendick.

On New Years Eve South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue responded to the report of smoke in a home. The group downstairs had been celebrating the new year and went upstairs to bed when they found the second floor engulfed in smoke. Firefighters found a mattress that had been smoldering, leading to major smoke damage. There were no smoke detectors in the home, something that could have alerted the occupants before it got to the point it did.

There is also one key safety action everyone can do every night besides have a smoke detector...close their bedroom door. Guevin said the closed door adds much more protection to those inside (see photo). how many killed in fires w

Smoke detector information from the National Fire Protection Association:

Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.

There are two different types of smoke alarms, ionization and photoelectric. An ionization alarm is typically more responsive to a flaming fire, such as a pan fire. A photoelectric alarm is typically more responsive to a smoldering fire, as might occur where a lighted cigarette is dropped on a sofa.

Combination alarms have both ionization and photoelectric detection technologies. For the best protection, use both types of alarms or combination alarms.

Smoke alarms should be interconnected, so that when one alarm sounds, they all do. A licensed electrician can do an interconnection by using hard-wired, multiple-station smoke alarms.

Wireless interconnection of smoke alarms is also available. A licensed electrician may need to replace existing hard-wired smoke alarms with those capable of wireless interconnection.

Guevin said he recommends the wireless detectors. When the alarm goes off, not only does one receive an audio alert, but also many include helpful voice instructions instead of just a siren. They connect to an app on the smart phone so if not home, you're alerted to the problem whether carbon monoxide or smoke, and sometimes the severity of the smoke.

Smoke Detector Safety Tips from the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI)

Installation Tips:
Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area,
and on every level of the home.

For the best protection, smoke alarms should be interconnected, so that they all
sound if one sounds. Manufacturers are now producing battery operated alarms
that are interconnected by wireless technology.

Combination smoke alarms that include both ionization and photoelectric alarms
offer the most comprehensive protection. An ionization alarm is more responsive to
flames, while a photoelectric alarm is more responsive to a smoldering fire.

Hardwired smoke alarms with battery backups are considered to be more reliable
than those operated solely by batteries.

Purchase smoke alarms from a reputable retailer that you trust.

Choose alarms that bear the label of a nationally-recognized testing laboratory.

Install smoke alarms at least 10 feet from cooking appliances to reduce the
possibility of nuisance alarms.

Alarms installed between 10-20 feet of a cooking appliance must have a hush
feature to temporarily reduce the alarm sensitivity or must be a photoelectric
alarm.

If possible, alarms should be mounted in the center of a ceiling. If mounted on a
wall, they should be located 6 to 12 inches below the ceiling.

Avoid locating alarms near bathrooms, heating appliances, windows or ceiling
fans.

Maintenance Tips:
Smoke alarms should be tested once a month by pressing the TEST button. Safe the instructions that come with the smoke detector for future reference.

Smoke alarm batteries should be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions, at least once a year. If an alarm “chirps” or “beeps” to indicate low batteries, they should be replaced immediately.

Occasionally dust or lightly vacuum the exterior of the alarm to remove dust and
cobwebs.

Smoke alarms should be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions, at least every ten years.

Never paint over a smoke alarm.