X-Message-Number: 27433
From: Kennita Watson <>
Subject: Advice from Andrew re smoke/CO detectors
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2005 19:21:36 -0800

You know this already, right?  That's OK, read it
again (and do it this time! :-) ).

Cheers,
Kennita

Andrew wrote:

smoke alarms save lives
The National Fire Protection Association has found that your odds of  
dying in a fire DOUBLE if you do not have a working smoke alarm in  
the place where you sleep.

drewkitty's recommendations:


     * TWO SMOKE DETECTORS IS THE BARE MINIMUM IN ANY HOME OR RV. If  
you are not going to follow the NFPA standard of one per bedroom plus  
one per level of your home, install two (2) smoke alarms, one in the  
hall outside your bedroom and one in your bedroom.

     * You should use both an ionization alarm and a photoelectric  
alarm. A combination unit can be purchased for about $20. Buy two  
anyway. Carbon monoxide alarms do not detect smoke but are vital if  
you cook or heat (incl. water heater) with natural gas/propane/wood  
or you live in an RV.
     * Battery failures are the most common cause of smoke alarm  
failure. Smoke alarm failure is the most common cause of injury due  
to fire. Your life depends on that battery. Two alarms with two  
batteries improves your odds dramatically.

           o If you use alkaline 9v batteries, replace them every  
year in the Fall when you change from daylight savings time to  
standard time.
           o Better yet, spend the extra few dollars and buy "long- 
life" lithium 9v batteries for your smoke detectors and replace every  
three years.
           o Test your smoke detector every week by pushing the  
button. If your detector starts chirping or does not work when  
tested, replace the battery.
           o In new or retrofit construction, install AC/DC detectors  
with "daisy chain" features so that all will alarm if one alarms, AC  
power is supplied, yet the detectors will work during power failures  
and in disasters (a common cause of home fires after a disaster is  
emergency cooking or heating.) Have one old-style DC detector near  
sleeping areas just in case.

     * There are more homes have non-working smoke detectors (and  
therefore no protection) than there are homes with no smoke  
detectors. Non-working detectors cannot save your life.

           o When you install a smoke detector, read carefully all  
manufacturer directions regarding installation, placement, testing  
and proper use -- before you start the installation.
           o Check dates of manufacture and dispose of all smoke  
detectors presently installed that are more than ten years old.
           o With a permanent marker, write the year purchased on the  
outside of your detector and the words "THROW ME AWAY IN [X]" where X  
equals ten years from now.

     * If you or a household resident are hearing-impaired, purchase  
an alarm with louder, lower-pitched alarm signals and/or strobe  
lights, such as those from Loudenlow or Silent Call. Also use great  
caution when traveling as most hotel rooms are not equipped with life  
safety systems that will alert hearing-impaired guests.

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