Stay safe with these detectors, Monitors

You can’t prevent every emergency that might happen in your home. But one simple way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to install and maintain smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors.

Statistics gathered by the United States Fire Administration show that no smoke alarms were present in 42 percent of fatal residential fires in the U.S. For the remaining 58 percent, more than half had smoke detectors that were non-operational due to dead or missing batteries.

These are shocking numbers considering the low cost and wide availability of smoke detectors. They’re as easy as hanging a picture to install, unless you purchase a hardwired system that needs to be put in by an electrician or alarm company.

There are three main types of detectors. The ionization type is quick to respond to heat and flame. Photoelectric alarms are better at sensing smoldering smoky fires.

A dual sensor unit features both ion and photoelectric capabilities, but may be more expensive.

Money can be saved by installing a combination of ion and photoelectric units rather than exclusively purchasing the more expensive dual sensor models. You might prefer the ion model in the kitchen, where flash fires are a bigger danger and smoke might just mean something cooking.

You’ll need several smoke detectors in your home. Place at least one on every level, including the basement. Because smoke and heat rise, install them on or near the ceiling for best results.

If you have children, you may want to invest in a vocal smoke detector. Recent studies have shown that today’s children and teens have a high noise tolerance.

They can sleep right through a conventional smoke alarm. Vocal detectors replace the alarm sound with a recording of your voice giving them instructions. They are available at many children’s stores and online retailers.

Smoke alarms need to be maintained. At least once a year, you should replace the batteries. Even hardwired units have back-up batteries that need replacing. Choose a day you’re likely to remember, such as a holiday, and write it on the calendar.

Many people use the day we change our clocks to daylight savings time or back to standard time as a reminder to also change smoke detector batteries.

You’ll also want to practice fire drills with your family so they know what to do in the case of an emergency. Review your emergency plan and have a run-through in the daytime. Don’t forget to have a fire drill at night to see if everyone remembers what to do when they’re sleepy.

While most people have smoke detectors in their home, far fewer invest in a carbon monoxide detector. Yet carbon monoxide poisoning was responsible for 16,447 deaths in the United States over a five-year period. In Western Washington, at least six people died and more than 100 were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter storm of 2006.

The most common ways that carbon monoxide gets into your home include fumes from vehicles or generators, improperly vented heaters and fireplaces, or trying to use barbecue grills inside the home for heating or cooking. Malfunctioning appliances can be another source.

Symptoms of poisoning include flu-like complaints, headaches and disorientation.

Victims often don’t realize there is anything wrong.

Fortunately, carbon monoxide detectors are low-cost and even easier to maintain and install than a smoke detector. Many come in plug-in versions. They don’t have to be placed high up near the ceiling, since carbon monoxide does not rise in the same manner as smoke.

When shopping for a carbon monoxide alarm, make sure to buy a UL listed model.

These are guaranteed to have an audible alarm to wake you if you are sleeping.

Some cheaper models do not have an audible alarm.

If you buy a plug-in carbon monoxide detector, remember not to plug it in to an outlet controlled by a switch. For the battery-powered models, change the batteries at the same time that you change your smoke detector batteries. It’s recommended that you use the unit’s “test” button once a week.