In the U.S., a fire department responds to reports of a fire just over once a minute. In addition, every 135 minutes, a life is lost in a fire. Over 400,000 Americans die from carbon monoxide poisoning that isn’t caused by a fire, and more than 20,000 people visit the emergency room. These are scary statistics — and the last thing you want is for you and your family to be among them. That’s why it’s worth considering professional smoke and CO detector installation in your home. Here’s how you can benefit from calling the professionals to take care of this vital piece of home security:
- They can advise you on the best type of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for your situation. There are different types of detectors. Some are hardwired, in which case they need to be connected to your electrical system. Other types of detectors are battery-powered. The battery-powered ones can be reusable and need their batteries replaced after several years. There are also battery-powered units that are disposable and last for 10 years. There are also smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that use Wi-Fi to connect to your smartphone. In the event of an alarm, they send an alert to your phone telling you what type of alarm it is and where in the home it is — information that can literally save your life. A professional will ask you about your lifestyle and preferences and advise you on your best options.
- They know where to install the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. While you can place detectors anywhere you like, it’s best if they’re placed strategically. Experts recommend at least one on every level of a property. The best places are outside of bedrooms and in rooms where fuel is burned. The most common examples are a living room with an open hearth or wood stove, a basement with a gas- or oil-burning furnace, and of course, the kitchen.
- They know how to install the detectors. Installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors needs to be done properly, or else the units don’t work. While the units include instructions and there are lots of how-to guides on the Internet, this doesn’t guarantee you won’t make a mistake. If you have a professional install the detectors for you, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that the detectors will work properly.
- They will instruct you on how to test and clean them, as well as how to replace the batteries. Most people think that once you’ve installed your detectors, all you need to do is replace the batteries or the detector itself when you hear a chirping sound. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Professionals will instruct you to test your units once a month and show you how to do so. They’ll also show you how to clean the detector to ensure it functions properly, as well as replace the batteries.
Don’t leave your family’s safety to chance: Call the experts for professional smoke and CO detector installation. The peace of mind you’ll get from it is priceless!