Choosing Home Fire Alarms

Written by: Brad Sylvester

For any household, protecting family members and property from harm is your first priority. And a fire is one of the most devastating threats to your safety. To minimize the damage and risk to your family, home fire alarms are essential. Early warning systems allow people to get out of the house and alert the fire department automatically when triggered. It’s also important for your alarm system to comply with local fire codes.

Home fire alarm basics

When choosing home fire alarms, it’s important to get quotes that include both hardware and complete installation. Proper evaluation of the site and installation is a critical component of your home fire alarm system. Having sensors spaced too far apart or in the wrong position can give a fire extra time to spread before the alarm is triggered. This extra time can mean the difference between minor damage and a catastrophe. Only a professional installer should specify the appropriate system – not a handyman or maintenance worker.

Your installer also will need to know building code requirements to make sure your home fire alarms are in compliance. Home smoke alarms that don't meet regulatory requirements can result in criminal penalties and trouble collecting on an insurance claim in the event of an incident. Saving on the installation by skipping professional help isn’t wise and can lead to harsh penalties and even loss of your home.

Have a plan in place

Another important aspect to your fire protection system is planning escape routes for all family members. Organize fire drills for your family to teach everyone how to exit the house and where to go in the event of a fire. Children should be taught how to exit the house as well. While adults will certainly help children if they can, it’s important for children to know the plan in case an adult is not present or is incapacitated during the fire. Find a rallying point in advance to make sure all family members meet where they will be safe. This point should be far enough away from the house so it’s well out of the way of fire danger and firefighters.

While it's easy to compare hardware prices on the Internet, it can be much more difficult to compare quotes for labor and installation costs. BuyerZone offers a convenient request for quotes service. After completing the quick and easy form, you'll receive quotes for home fire alarms from up to five qualified home security suppliers.