Don’t rely on a single alarm to protect an entire house.
Home smoke alarms may not sound like essential equipment for wildfires, but they’re just as important then as they are for letting you know about a kitchen fire.
Smoke from a wildfire can reach your home long before any flames or embers reach your defensible space, so properly functioning smoke alarms are critical as an early warning system. They’re also required by the building codes here in California.
Why? Because according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), about 3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. And while wildfire smoke can indeed seep in from outside, the most important reason for having reliable smoke alarms is the possibility of accidental fires inside the home.
Check out these answers to common questions about smoke alarms.
How many smoke alarms do I need?
California Building Code requires homeowners to install a smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home, including the basement. Wherever your family members are, they’ll know when it’s time to get their Go Bags and put your fire emergency plan into action.
How often should I change my smoke alarm batteries?
NFPA recommends changing smoke alarm batteries every six months to ensure they’re always fresh.
If your California home was built after August of 1992, it’s likely your builder installed hardwired smoke detectors, which are 11% more likely to sound during a fire than battery-only alarms. The best combination is a hardwired alarm with a battery back-up to take over during a power loss.
How often should I check my smoke alarms?
Run the test function on each smoke detector at least once a month. All it takes is the push of a button.
Do I need a smoke alarm outside?
Home smoke detectors aren’t designed to be used outside. They’re not loud enough to hear over the ambient noise outdoors. Plus, home smoke alarms react to a build-up of smoke around their sensors, and conditions outdoors make such build-up close to impossible unless considerable smoke has reached your property. By then, you’d already be well aware of an approaching fire.
My hearing isn’t great. What sort of alarms should I get?
If anyone in your household is hearing impaired, it’s important to invest in smoke alarms with strong, built-in strobe lights to catch the attention of anyone who can’t hear the alarm.
Anything else I need to know?
It’s important to keep in mind the safety responsibilities of living in the beautiful county we call home. We live side-by-side with nature; treating it with respect is key.
And even though Be Ready, Butte! is largely focused on wildfire preparedness, don’t neglect the basics of home fire safety, such as maintaining smoke alarms, knowing how to use fire extinguishers, and keeping an inventory of possessions should they be lost to a fire.
Thanks for being a fire-conscious member of our Butte County community!