Did you know that your entire smoke alarm unit must be replaced every 10 years? That’s how long the sensors in them last. Aiken County has one of the highest rates for fire deaths in South Carolina. We need your help to improve fire safety countywide. About 50 percent of homes do not have smoke alarms. These devices are an important part of your fire-escape plan. They provide early warning of a fire and enable you to get out of your home quickly. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a house fire by half. Here are some important safety tips when considering smoke alarm installations:
- Install smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
- Larger homes may need additional smoke alarms to provide enough protection.
- For the best protection, interconnect your smoke alarms so when one sounds, they all sound.
- There are two general types of smoke alarms. An ionization smoke alarm is usually more responsive to flames while a photoelectric smoke alarm works better with smoldering fires. For the maximum protection for you and your family, consider both types of alarms for your residence.
- Prevent false alarms by installing smoke alarms at least 10 feet from any cooking appliance.
- Test all your smoke alarms at least once per month and replace their batteries twice a year in the Spring and Fall when the time changes.
For additional fire safety tips call our Public Safety Department at (803) 642-7620.
Smoke alarms are considered household hazardous waste which can be disposed in your green roll cart with other solid waste. However, businesses must call an approved hazardous waste disposal company to properly dispose of their smoke alarms. For more information about the proper disposal of smoke alarms, please call our Public Services Department at (803) 642-7613.
