Protect your family and home with both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It isn’t enough just to install the devices; correct smoke detector placement is necessary for them to be effective. Here are some tips for the best spots to place smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
Smoke Detector Placement Includes the Bedrooms
Install smoke alarms in every bedroom and in the hallways outside of each sleeping area. If an emergency happens in the middle of the night, it’s important that the alarms are located so they will detect smoke and warn occupants no matter where a fire breaks out.
Proper Smoke Detector Placement in the Kitchen
A smoke alarm in the kitchen is likely to give false alarms, which can lead to a true alarm being ignored in the future. Place a smoke detector at least ten feet away from any cooking appliance, including the oven, stovetop, and microwave. For smaller homes, place your smoke detector in a living room or family room that’s close to the kitchen.
The Number of Floors Determines Smoke Detector Placement
Another easy tip to remember is that each floor of your home should have its own smoke detector. This includes floors you may not always use that often, like an attic or a basement. For floors with bedrooms, you should already have detectors installed both inside and outside of the bedroom. For floors with no bedrooms, near the staircase is smart smoke detector placement.
Smoke Rises
When installing smoke detectors, place them either on or near the ceiling. Ideally, a smoke detector will be installed on the ceiling to alert you of any rising smoke. If the smoke detector is wall-mounted, place it no more than 12 inches away from the ceiling so it will detect smoke effectively.
One exception is the installation of smoke detectors on pitched or cathedral ceilings – depending on the height, you may want to put a smoke detector a little lower so it will sound before there is a chance for smoke or fire to spread. Also, be sure to place smoke detectors well away from air vents that may keep smoke from reaching the device.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Many detectors are combination-style, meaning they have both a smoke alarm and a CO alarm. However, these detectors may not be the best options for early alerts. While smoke rises, carbon monoxide gas doesn’t. This means a high-mounted carbon monoxide detector may not be as effective.
Purchase separate carbon monoxide detectors for your home. As with smoke detector placement, plan on having a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home, installed 3 to 5 feet above the floor.
Preparation is key to being safe in an emergency. Placing your detectors in the best locations will alert you quickly if a fire breaks out in your home.
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