Smoke and fire alarms are essential safety systems that warn occupants of danger. Unfortunately, they can be  triggered by nonthreatening events, such as cooking or bathing. Here are some tips to help you avoid accidentally triggering your alarm system.

How to Prevent False Smoke & Fire Alarms

1. Mount Them Correctly

Many false alarms are caused by poor placement. When mounted directly in the kitchen, a smoke detector can activate when toast burns, food melts onto the oven burner, and food overcooks.

To avoid problems, have a professional move a kitchen alarm to a place near but not inside the kitchen. That way, it can detect smoke from a cooking fire, but not the contained accidents that don't pose threats. 

2. Improve Ventilation

Some units activate due to hot steam. You can minimize the chances of nuisance alarms by running fans in the kitchen and bathroom.

If your stove has a hood, operate the vent fan to eliminate steam and smoke particles produced during cooking. Additionally, always run the bathroom vent fan when you shower or bathe to disperse hot, humid air.

3. Schedule Regular Maintenance

Malfunctions, loss of power, and dirt or insects inside the sensors can also activate smoke and fire alarms.

Have your units cleaned and inspected annually to prevent these issues. Professionals will remove debris, scrub dirty contacts, and check for fraying wires, worn batteries, and corrosion. Maintenance not only prevents frustrating false alarms, but also boosts the safety of your household.

For smoke and fire alarm maintenance and installation, contact Action Security & Communications in Rochester, NY. They have served Monroe County for more than 30 years and offer 24/7 security system monitoring. Their certified fire alarm inspections will ensure your network works optimally. Learn more about their products on their website, or call (800) 445-1410 to schedule a consultation.