Insurance Corner - Keeping smoke detectors clean

The next time you’re vacuuming your house, don’t just pay attention to the dirt and dust on the floor. Look up to the smoke detectors on your ceiling.

When smoke detectors get plugged up with dirt and dust, they can become inoperable – even if the batteries are still good.

Every month or so, clean out the alarm detection chamber and protective cover with the soft brush attachment on your vacuum.

You may want to clean smoke alarms more often if there’s a smoker in the house. Remember, fumes and other particles rise in the air, and can get captured in your smoke detector.

You should also test your alarm monthly to make sure it’s working. Use a candle, cigarette, or incense to introduce smoke into the unit until the alarm sounds.

If the alarm is battery-powered and doesn’t sound, replace the battery and try again. If it’s electrically connected to the household circuits and doesn’t sound, check the fuse and try again.

In either case, if the alarm still isn’t working, replace the entire unit. A dead unit is worse than none at all, as it can give you a false sense of security.

To ensure proper operation, replace the batteries at least once a year, or when you hear intermittent beeping. Don’t use

rechargeable batteries for smoke detectors, unlike non-rechargeable batteries, they will lose their charge without emitting any warning signal.

Install your detectors on each level of the home (including basements), in hallways adjacent to stairs or bedrooms.

Always read the manufacturer’s instructions for specific installation, maintenance, and testing information. And use only smoke detectors tested and approved by the SCA or UL.

Remember that most fatal fires start at night, when you are asleep. You can be overcome by smoke and never even wake up. Seconds can make the difference

between life and death. By detecting smoke in the early stages of a fire and sounding an alarm, a smoke detector can give you those vital seconds. Mark Guergis

Registered Insurance Broker

Aim Insurance Brokers Ltd. 705-424- 7676

General insurance brokers with offices in Angus and Innisfil. We will provide material from within our office and other members of the industry to hopefully help you have a greater understanding of home, auto and business insurance products.