Sure Signs You Need To Have A Smoke Detector Installed At Home

By Author: Tom Buchanan
Total Articles: 36

#1 That Old House
Whether your house is old or not, its electrical system may be outdated and can use some upgrade. Aside from hiring a residential electrician to make sure your home keeps up with the Canada wiring code regularly updated every three years, have a Calgary electrician install a smoke detector, too.

Also, if you bought a pre-loved home a few years ago, you might have to check whether you are still using the original set of electric appliances that came along with the house. If you are, you may have to consider replacing them altogether because old devices not only deteriorate but may fail and start a fire. Then again, when you don't have enough budget yet to purchase energy-efficient appliances, you can start with investing in a smoke sensor. Have an electrician install a few units in your house so if one of your old white goods fail and start something, you can act on it without risking your entire property.

#2 Oh, You Have One?
If you have a smoke detector at home, the next question you should ask yourself is, "Do I have sufficient units to cover my whole house?"

The best electricians you can find in Homestars recommend that you put one sensor on each level of your house, and another preferably near and inside each bedroom. You also have to make sure they're located in the right places because putting them in the wrong positions can defeat their purpose of protecting your house.

#3 Perhaps No One Has Told You Before
If you didn't know that there are two types of smoke sensors, you probably need more expert help, especially when you just passed by your favorite hardware, picked up the cheapest ones labeled "Smoke Alarms," and did the installation yourself. After all, you are ingenious in following instructions, and Mr. YouTube is just right beside you.

Some detectors have a built-in battery that can go without replacement for up to a decade, which is a smoke sensor's average lifetime. If you don't remember when was the last instance you replaced your batteries, you may have to read your manual or inspect them one at a time. For replaceable batteries, change them at least once a year, or as soon as you hear your smoke alarm chirping.
For reliability, make sure you use to test your devices once a month. Follow the instructions carefully and replace the entire units should they fail the monthly evaluation.

Ask any electrician, Calgary-based preferably, to replace your smoke detectors immediately if you walked around to inspect them and you didn't even see any manufacturing date close to where the battery is or at the back of the sensor itself. Current standards say they're too old to be effective if you don't see its age.

#4 Your House Doesn't Even Have One.
Whether it was newly-constructed when you bought it, you have a whole-house power surge protector, or you have your electrical system recently upgraded, you need smoke detectors to protect your household.