To keep your home safe, smoke detectors are essential. These devices provide an early warning in case of fire, giving you and your family more time to escape safely. In order for them to work properly, they should be located properly throughout the home. Learn more about smoke detector placement to keep your family and your property safe from fire.
Proper Smoke Detector Placement
The ideal placement for smoke detectors is on the ceiling and at least three feet away from any air vents. If the device cannot be installed on the ceiling, high on the walls is the next best place.
When adding smoke detectors, keep them away from doors and windows. Airflow may affect their ability to detect smoke. If repainting, take care to avoid painting the detectors as paint or stickers can also interfere with the function of the device.
Smoke Detectors in Your Home
Install smoke detecting devices in each bedroom and in the hallway outside the bedrooms. Sleeping family members aren’t alert and having smoke detectors inside and outside the room will guarantee the warning is heard.
There should be detectors on each level of your home and on the ceiling at the bottom of each staircase.
Because of the risk of a dryer fire, it’s best to also install a device in the laundry room. To reduce false alarms in the kitchen, place the smoke detector at least 10 feet away from any cooking appliances.
Additional Areas for Smoke Detector Placement
If you have a garage or workspace, install a smoke detector in this area. Even if it is a detached building, a smoke detector will ensure you and your family get early warning of fire. Basements and attic rooms are two areas that are often overlooked for smoke detector placement.
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