How To Prevent Fire Damage In San Diego

4/4/2022 (Permalink)

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SERVPRO of San Diego Bay SW/Coronado specializes in fire and water damage restoration; it's the cornerstone of our business. In our past experience we have seen the differences in a home or business having functioning smoke detectors versus non-functioning.  With Daylight Savings time recently happening it's a good time to talk about the importance of smoke detectors. 

Smoke detectors are some of the most important things in your home or business, because they are proven lifesavers.  More fatal fires occur at night when people are sleeping.  Listed below are some tips on installing and maintaining properly working smoke detectors, courtesy of the San Diego Fire Department. 

San Diego Fire Department

Installation

• Install a smoke detector on each level of your home.
• The detector should be centrally located between the bedrooms.
• Place smoke detectors in each bedroom.
• If you, or someone in your home is deaf or hard of hearing, consider installing an alarm that combines flashing lights, vibration and/or sound.
• Mount smoke alarms high on walls or ceilings (remember, smoke rises). Ceiling mounted alarms should be installed at least four inches away from the nearest wall; wall-mounted alarms should be installed four to 12 inches away from the ceiling.

Test and Maintain

• Test detectors once a month.
• Detectors should not be painted.
• Most units should be vacuumed once a year to remove cobwebs and dust that may impair a detector's sensitivity.
• Never paint smoke alarms. Paint, stickers, or other decorations could keep the alarms from working.
• Smoke alarms don't last forever. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years. California law requires that the new alarm you buy will have a ten-year, sealed battery.

What to Do if Your Alarm Sounds

• Don't try to fight the fire yourself.
• Get out of the house as quickly as possible.
• Call 9-1-1 as soon as you are out of the house.