- Smoke alarms fall into two basic categories. Optical smoke alarms work by detecting visible particles in the air, while ionization smoke alarms pick up smaller particles created by fast-moving fires. Fire experts suggest keeping one of each in your home or paying for a dual model which contains both optical and ionization elements.
- In addition to emitting a signal when they detect a fire, many smoke alarms have supplemental features as well. Some provide exit lights to help you to see in the dark if the power has been cut off. Others have silencer buttons which let you temporarily turn them off in the event of a false alarm. Both increase the alarm's usefulness, though they also mean an increased sale price.
- Ideally, your home should have at least one smoke alarm on each floor, and one additional smoke alarm in each bedroom. If you can't afford that many, place a smoke alarm in a centralized locale such as a hallway or at the top of the stairs, where it will reach as many ears as possible.
- Smoke alarms need to be placed in the center of a wall or ceiling at least 1 foot away from the edge. (Otherwise, they stay out of the room's air flow and thus may not detect the smoke.) In addition, don't place them close to any air ducts or heating ducts, which can also interfere with their access to proper air flow. Avoid placing them in bathrooms or kitchens, where steam from cooking food or a hot shower could set them off accidentally. You shouldn't place them near any fireplaces or furnaces for the same reason.
- You need to test every smoke detector in your home once a month to make sure they're operating as they should. Refresh the battery every 6 months or whenever the smoke detector gives out a little chirp to indicate low power. (Not all smoke detectors do this, however, so don't rely on it to let you know when your batteries need replacing.) Keep the smoke alarm free of dust by running a vacuum around it several times a year; that helps it operate at peak efficiency.
