Major Restoration Services, a veteran-owned and operated property damage restoration company serving South Central Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland with 24/7/365 emergency response. The team of trained and certified technicians mitigates water, fire, mold, and biohazard events in residential and commercial buildings. Compassionate customer service is a core value of the company since its founding in 2006. Property damage restoration is about people and helping them recover from a property disaster and move forward with life.
Owner Michal Allen knows that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to fire and water damage. Major Restoration Services offers advice about smoke alarms for the benefit of the people they serve in the South Central Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland area.
Smoke detectors save lives when there is a house fire. However, these life-saving devices sometimes fail to operate properly when a fire breaks out, and false alarms occur on occasion. Homeowners should always respond to the sound of the alarm even if they do not see or smell smoke. Smoke detectors can sense a fire before humans can perceive the danger.
When the alarm activates, play it safe. Assume there is a fire hazard and follow proper safety procedures. Major Restoration Services wants people to better understand how smoke alarms work in the hope that it will save lives.
Eight Reasons for Smoke Detector False Alarms
1. Cooking mishaps on the stove
Cooking fires are one of the leading causes of house fires. Unattended food on the stove can overcook and produce smoke, setting off the fire alarm. In some instances, only a hint of smoke from burning food is necessary to set off the detector. Burnt toast and overcooked popcorn can also set off a smoke alarm. Homeowners should optimally position smoke alarms in the hallway leading to the kitchen, not in the kitchen itself. Proper ventilation will stop the smoke alarm from activating.
2. High humidity and steam
Humidity in the air can trigger a fire alarm and so can taking a shower or boiling water on the stove. Improve ventilation by opening a window or use a fan to reduce the humidity.
3. Fireplaces
Fireplaces can also set off smoke detector false alarms. On occasion, a fireplace can allow smoke to blow back into a home, causing an activation of the smoke alarm. The alarm is not malfunctioning. Smoke particles are concentrated in the air to the point that the alarm responds. A dirty chimney and improperly set dampers may be the culprits. Secure the services of a chimney sweep if the fireplace frequently emits smoke into the home instead of out the chimney.
4. Chemical odors
Since smoke alarms can detect paint and harsh chemicals, these substances can also cause smoke detector false alarms. Proper ventilation can avoid the unnecessary disturbance of the smoke alarm.
5. Insects hiding inside the alarm
Small bugs can find refuge into a smoke detector, triggering a false alarm. If the cause of the activation is not immediately discernable, inspect the device for small insects. Take appropriate pest control measures if household pests were the culprit.
6. Dust particles in the unit sensors
Airborne debris from remodeling may cause smoke detector false alarms. Carefully use a vacuum attachment or electronic aerosol cleaner to remove dust particles.
7. Low batteries in the device
Everyone is familiar with the annoying chirping of a smoke detector with low batteries. Homeowners should take this warning sign seriously and replace batteries. In fact, scheduling a battery replacement twice a year is a great safety idea.
8. Aging smoke alarm
After about ten years, smoke alarm units need replacement. Random activation for no apparent reason may be an indication that the aging device is ready for replacement. Prompt action should be taken since a nonfunctioning detector leaves the occupants vulnerable. Random activations can be unnerving, especially in the middle of the night.
Whenever a smoke detector triggers, take it seriously. Identify what caused the activation and deal with the situation accordingly. When fire, smoke, and water damage does occur, professional disaster restoration technicians should be called for assistance because of the hazardous and toxic nature of the smoke and soot. If the fire department was involved in extinguishing the fire, water damage could be extensive and require remediation.
A housefire disaster is a complex property damage event involving many facets — fire, smoke, soot, water, toxic chemicals and fumes, dangerous debris, and possibly treacherous structural compromise in the home or business. Entrust this complicated restoration to trained technicians who are equipped to safely and quickly restore the site. For fire damage restoration, contact Major Restoration Services at (717) 855-2367.
