Being safe at home is tremendously important for you, your family, and your guests. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are two safety tools that can help protect the people in your residence. Since they’re often discussed together, and they can look similar as well, you may wonder if they perform overlapping jobs. It might even seem they are two different names for the same device. Before you invest in new smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors for your property, make sure you understand what these items do and how they can help your family.
What Smoke Alarms Do
Smoke alarms are designed to alert you to the presence of smoke in your home. When your smoke alarm beeps, there may be a fire burning or one about to start.
Smoke alarms have detectors that can pick up on the presence of particles in the air. Ionization smoke detectors use an electric current to do this. The current is produced by ionizing air molecules. Through the principles of chemistry, the ionizing molecules are drawn to smoke particles. When the concentration of ion-attracting smoke particles grows too high, the electric current stops, and the alarm sounds.
Photoelectric smoke detectors offer an alternative method of sensing smoke. They operate using a beam of light. When smoke enters the device, the light bounces off the particles and hits a light detector. That triggers an audible alarm.
Some smoke alarms integrate both detection styles into one unit. But no matter which type of smoke alarm you have, the purpose remains the same. This device is useful for protecting your family from fires. When the smoke alarm goes off, you will know to get out of the house and call for emergency help.
Time is of the essence in a house fire. Not only can the flames be deadly, but the smoke itself can cause irreparable harm. The tissues and organs of your respiratory system may swell. You may have trouble breathing, and you could produce wheezing sounds as you inhale and exhale. Plus, smoke may contain toxic chemical fumes.
Installing a properly working smoke alarm can guard your family against the dangers of smoke and flames.
What Carbon Monoxide Detectors Do
Carbon monoxide detectors let you know whether there is a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide in your home. Any sort of combustion can produce carbon monoxide. Furnaces and other gas-powered appliances are common sources of this substance.
Carbon monoxide detectors can work in several different ways. Some use biomimetic sensors with a color-changing gel. There are also units with electrochemical or metal oxide sensors. Both of those styles monitor electrical current. Carbon monoxide disrupts the current, which causes the alarm to sound.
These detectors are important because carbon monoxide, also known as CO, is a deadly gas. It’s clear and odorless, so you can’t see or smell it. Even if you don’t know it’s there, carbon monoxide can poison your body. Early exposure can cause flu-like symptoms; left unchecked, carbon monoxide poisoning can kill.
If your carbon monoxide detector goes off, leave the house immediately. Call your fire department or natural gas utility.
Reasons to Have Both Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
As you can see, both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors serve essential purposes in your home. For full protection, you should install both types of devices.
A smoke alarm is valuable in a fire. However, it won’t let you know if your furnace starts to release an unsafe amount of carbon monoxide.
In the same way, a carbon monoxide detector is a reliable method for knowing whether your home is filled with deadly CO gas. It won’t do much good, though, if your dinner starts to burn or your electrical wires are sparking.
For robust protection of your home and family, you need to have both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your house.
Each floor of your home needs at least one smoke detector. Plus, each bedroom should have its own. Since smoke rises, you should install the smoke detectors on the ceiling or near the top of your walls.
As with smoke detectors, you need to purchase a carbon monoxide detector for each level of your home. Each bedroom area should have a detector nearby. While smoke alarms should always be placed in high positions, there’s more placement flexibility for carbon monoxide detectors. The manufacturer of your unit may offer specific suggestions.
Combination Devices for Smoke and Carbon Monoxide
You certainly need both smoke alarms and CO detectors in your house. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you need two separate devices in every area of your home, though.
In addition to stand-alone smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, manufacturers also make combination alarms. These devices are useful for alerting you to fires as well as the presence of carbon monoxide gas. You’ll get well-rounded protection with fewer units.
Benefits of Hardwired Smoke Alarms and CO Detectors
Many smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors run on batteries. You can place them anywhere in the room, which is nice. However, the batteries must be changed on a regular basis. Many experts suggest swapping out smoke alarm batteries each time you move the clocks forward or backward — in other words, twice a year. That’s an expense, and it’s also a hassle.
Other battery-powered units come with built-in batteries that are meant to last for many years. Once they give out, though, you’ll need to buy replacement units.
There are also plug-in varieties. These are convenient because there are no batteries to swap. The drawback is that you’re limited in where you can place your detectors. Since outlets are often low to the ground, that’s where your detectors will need to go. That’s particularly problematic for smoke alarms, which should be put in high places.
Instead of using battery or plug-in detectors, take a look at hardwired units. They connect directly to your home’s electrical wiring. Many connect to one another as well. When one begins to sound, the others will go off as well. You’ll be alerted to the danger, no matter where you are in the house. Plus, wired detectors usually offer a battery-backup option so that you’ll stay protected during power outages.
The best way to install hardwired smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors is to hire a professional electrician. Electrical pros can help you identify the best units for your home and expertly install them. You can count on safe, effective installation when you leave the job to the experts.
At Dream Team Home Services, we provide electrical services in Media and the surrounding areas. We can recommend the best hardwired smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors for your home and take care of installing them. Our electrical services also include installing chargers for electric vehicles, replacing electrical panels, and fixing faulty wiring. In addition, Dream Team Home Services offers plumbing, heating and cooling services. Whether you need a water heater replacement, an air conditioner tune-up, or a furnace repair, we are your full-service team for home maintenance.
Call us at Dream Team Home Services in Media today to schedule your appointment for heating, cooling, plumbing, or electrical care!
