Last Updated: Jul 5, 2021
Smoke detectors save lives. In a recent report, the National Fire Protection Association revealed that 41 percent of home fire deaths occurred in properties without smoke detectors. Smoke detectors are a necessary safety feature. You should install carbon monoxide detectors in any home with fuel-burning appliances. These include furnaces, water heaters, and ranges or cooktops, leading to dangerous hotspots.
Here's what you need to know about how smoke detectors work and where you should install them.
A smoke detector is a device designed to sense smoke and then sound a loud warning to alert occupants of a building or home. Because of the synthetic materials contained in our furniture and buildings, fires can spread quickly; often, you'll have just a few minutes to get out safely.
Some fires flare up in flames, and others burn slowly or smolder. There are a few types of smoke detectors you can buy, and some are effective for one or both types of fire. You can buy standalone smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and ones that detect both in one unit.
Ionization Smoke Detectors have a small amount of radioactive material between two electrically charged plates. When tiny particles indicating rapid, flaming fires disrupt the current between the plates, it can detect them. They are less effective at detecting smoldering fires. Because the units can be set off by burnt food or steam, it's best not to install them near a bathroom or kitchen.
Photoelectric Smoke Detectors use an LED light that goes off when smoky particles disrupt the light beam. They are best used to detect smoky, smoldering fires, which are generally more dangerous because they often go unnoticed. They are not as good at detecting sudden, fast-burning fires.
Dual-Sensor Smoke Detectors combines both ionization and photoelectric technology to sense both flaming and smoky fires.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors can detect the presence of this deadly gas but do not sense smoke or other types of explosive gases, including natural gas, propane, or methane.
Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors use photoelectric or ionization to detect both CO and smoke.
Most of the above units are available as either hardwired or battery-powered units, and some are also smart detectors.
Hardwired smoke detectors connect directly into your home's electrical system and might need professional installation. Most devices also have a battery inside as a backup in case of a power outage. Because hardwired detectors are easy to interconnect, they can be set to all go off at once if one is triggered. This setup is a valuable safety feature for homes with multiple levels since the devices can alert you to danger before the fire or CO spreads everywhere.
Battery-Powered Smoke Detectors are simple to install and aren't affected by power failures. Typically, you'll need to replace the batteries twice a year or purchase a unit with lithium batteries, which can last up to 10 years.
Some smoke detectors work through an app on your smartphone, alerting you to smoke or CO even when you're out of the house. You can connect through Wi-Fi or an additional hub. Smart detectors will also interconnect with other detectors of the same model. These devices tend to be more expensive than traditional battery-powered or hardwired units.
Few combination detectors work well at detecting carbon monoxide, smoldering fires, and flaming fires. Consumer Reports recommends using several types of detectors in the home for the most protection.
No matter which device you choose, read the packaging to be sure it meets the Underwriter Laboratories (UL) certification standards. And check the back of the packaging for the manufacture date because smoke detectors lose sensitivity over time.
The NFPA suggests installing smoke detectors with photoelectric and ionization sensors because they sense both flaming and smoldering fires. Put the units inside and outside each bedroom, plus at least one device per floor, including the basement and attic.
It's essential to install both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors correctly. Because smoke rises, experts advise putting them on the ceiling, not the wall. Install a device at least 10 feet from your stove to minimize false alarms set off by cooking in the kitchen.
Basic smoke detectors can cost $10 or more than $100, depending on the features included with the device, plus the cost of batteries if you choose a model that's not hardwired.
First Alert, Google, Kidde all have a variety of hardwired, battery-powered, and smart smoke detector options.
Depending on the model, most smoke detectors will need replacing every five to ten years. Units that detect both smoke and CO may require replacement more often. The manufacturer's instructions will let you know how often to change the batteries and the units themselves.
Some municipalities have regulations about what types of smoke or CO detectors are recommended, so be sure to ask. And check with your insurance company, too, since many offer discounts to homes with smoke detectors.
You also might be able to pair your smoke or CO detectors into your security system. This step will enable you to hear the alarm both inside and outside your home. These systems often feature a monitoring service that will call the police or fire department or your cell phone.
Having working smoke detectors is one of the most important ways you can keep your home and family safe, so don't put off installing them!
Wendy Helfenbaum is a Montreal-based journalist and TV producer whose work has appeared in many outlets including Apartment Therapy, Metropolis, Architectural Digest’s AD Pro, AARP, Costco Connection, Country Gardens, Realtor.com, Style at Home, Canadian Living and many more. Follow her @WendyHelfenbaum