Smoke alarms provide a round-the-clock, first line of defense to give homeowners peace of mind. To perform optimally, however, they need to be installed appropriately throughout the house by a qualified electrician. Here’s what you need to know about their installation.

Why Smoke Alarms Are Essential

These alarms alert you to the presence of smoke so you can quickly make your way out of the home. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 53% of smoke alarms were activated in home fires reported to emergency authorities between 2012 and 2016. However, no detectors were present in at least 40% of cases involving fatalities. These sobering statistics speak to the value of having an electrician install these devices in the home.

Where You Should Install Them

As a rule of thumb, install a smoke alarm on every floor of the home. Additionally, your electrician should place one inside all bedrooms and outside all sleeping areas.

If there are no bedrooms on the ground level, configure the devices inside the living room or just before the stairway leading upstairs. In larger homes, you may want to install two alarms on the main level.

Additionally, the NFPA recommends a 10-foot distance between the alarm and any cooking appliance to reduce the odds of a false trigger.

Why You Should Get Interconnected Alarms  

It may not always be possible to hear an alarm activate on the ground floor if you’re upstairs. Interconnected smoke alarms are adjoined to one another via a wire that allows them to go off at the same time. Wireless setups are also available.

You’ll be alerted to smoke presence anywhere in the home, no matter where the smoke is situated, which may allow for more time to evacuate. Since these communicative systems are more complex than battery-operated devices, have an electrician handle the installation.

Is it time to install or upgrade a smoke alarm system in your home? Trust the electricians at AA Electric in Honolulu, HI. Proudly serving the community since 1947, the company carries an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau®. They also install lighting, perform repairs, and offer 24-hour emergency service. Visit their website to learn more about how they can assist with your electrical needs, or call them at (808) 841-4131 to request a free estimate.