False alarms can be a serious safety issue because firefighters and equipment have to be sent to a situation where they aren’t needed, which makes them potentially unavailable for a true emergency if one were to happen at the same time as a false alarm.
False alarms can be easily prevented. It just takes a little extra time to give your smoke alarms the proper care and attention they need.
False alarms can be prevented by following these simple steps:
1) Regular Maintenance
Smoke alarms should be tested once a month and every time you change the batteries. This helps protect the safety and well-being of your family by ensuring you have properly functioning equipment.
Replace your smoke alarm batteries twice a year in the spring and fall when you set your clocks back or ahead for daylight savings.
A smoke alarm should be replaced if it is more than 10 years old.
2) Proper Placement
Ensure smoke alarms are installed and placed properly. Smoke alarms should be at least 10 feet away from the stove and oven.
Smoke alarms should not be placed in bathrooms or garages to avoid shower steam and dust.
Research shows it’s best to have an interconnected smoke alarm in every bedroom.
3) Correct Contact Information
Your alarm monitoring company should have your most up-to-date contact information so they can reach you at home.
It is important to make sure that you contact your alarm monitoring company when you disarm your alarm or before you test, repair or do maintenance on your smoke alarm.
4) If Your Smoke Alarm is Accidentally Triggered
If your alarm system has been accidentally triggered, call your alarm monitoring company immediately so they can cancel or disarm the smoke alarm and prevent fire crews from being dispatched.
Some monitoring companies will try calling you before dialing 911 to ensure the alarm is a real emergency. Be sure to answer their call right away.
