How to buy and correctly install smoke detectors/alarms

Thousands of home fires occur a year and often people are not warned soon enough, such as at night when they are asleep. Smoke detectors are a necessary installment in your house to alert you to any fires so you can exit the premises.

Photoelectric and Ionization Type Detectors

The two most common types are the photoelectric detector and the ionization detector. The ionization detector is better at detecting the smoke from flaming fires and is generally cheaper but may go off prematurely. The photoelectric type is better at detecting smokier fires. Both are quite effective and you can even buy dual photoelectric and ionization smoke detectors (more expensive but recommended)! Smoke detectors sometimes include built in carbon monoxide detectors. One with both is ideal. A smoke detector is not a substitute for a CO detector and vice versa! When buying a smoke detector make sure that it is permitted in your area/state. Some states have stricter/specialized requirements for smoke detectors.

The photoelectric type has a light and a light sensor inside with the light pointing away from the sensor. When smoke reaches the sensor it disrupts the light, causing it to bounce into the sensor which trips the alarm. The ionization detector has a small amount of radioactive material inside which generates a tiny current. When smoke reaches this detector it disturbs and alters the current which is detected, setting the alarm off. There are reset buttons you can push to turn of detectors that go off due to smoke from cooking etc.

A good detector/alarm can be purchased for under $50 at most reputable hardware stores or online and manufacturers include Kidde and GE.

Installing your smoke detector

Identify how many areas of the house you are going to install smoke detectors in. You should not install them in kitchens as smoke from cooking can trip the detectors and you can imagine how annoying that can get! Appropriate areas for detectors are bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, hallways, basements and garages and you should install at least one on each floor of the house. Bathrooms should be avoided as steam from hot showers can trip the alarms. Candles in rooms may also trip the alarms.

You can purchase either a battery powered detector (runs on 9V or AA battery for example) or a plug in type. Battery powered ones need to be constantly monitored to make sure the batteries have not run out. Usually they will give an indication such as a flashing light. Plug in types are available but you need to make sure you have outlets high up enough to fixate them to. Another issue is they will not go off during a power outage unless you have backup power.

Once you determined where you are going to fix them, grab a ladder and climb! The smoke detectors should be placed at the highest point on an uneven ceiling as smoke rises. You can place them on a wall too but they should be high up, about 3-10 inches from the ceiling. Do not put smoke detectors near windows as smoke will just escape before they are even detected. You will need a power drill and a screw driver to fixate them. Consult the back of the packaging.