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Safety: Emergencies Fire Smoke detectors may be either battery-operated or hard-wired. If you are installing smoke detectors in an existing dwelling, installing battery-operated devices is the simplest and most economical. The biggest problem with battery-operated smoke detectors, however, is that you won't know if they're out of order until it's too late! Test them once a month to make sure, and replace the batteries once a year. If you do it when you change the clocks for daylight savings, it will become a part of your safety routine. Another option is to have the smoke detectors hard-wired as you would other electrical lamps and fixtures. Just be sure that you install a battery backup in case of electrical power outages. Hardwiring is easiest to do when you are building a new house or putting on an addition. It's also a perfect time to look into servicing all of your home safety and security needs through one central system. Fire Response Fire extinguishers are a must, but you must also know how to use them. The best extinguishers are labeled ABC, and are effective in fighting all types of common household fires: A for combustibles; B for flammable liquids, oils, and gases; C for electrical fires in wiring or appliances. Extinguishers should be kept on every level of the home and checked regularly for refilling or maintenance. Carbon Monoxide To protect your family from carbon monoxide exposure, all fuel-burning appliances (stoves, furnaces, water heaters, dryers, etc.) should be checked for leaks by a qualified technician. Metal flues and heat exchangers should be inspected for signs of rust or cracking, and carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in the basement, outside sleeping areas, in workrooms, and garages. Detectors may be battery powered, outlet based, or hard wired. Those meeting UL standard 2034 will detect long-term, high-level CO concentrations as well as short-term, low-level CO concentrations. You can also purchase a combination Smoke/Fire/CO detector with voice and alarm warnings, for about $50. It is battery-operated and uses voice warnings to announce "Fire, Fire" or "Warning! Carbon Monoxide," coupled with an alarm. Safety measures such as these as inexpensive, easy to install, and a quick and easy safeguard for your health and home. |
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Copyright Sudprasert Engineering (C)2002
10 February, 2003