A smoke detector does just what it says—detecting smoke long before you can—so having several installed in different areas of your home is important. The easiest type to install is battery-operated, and the more difficult is the hard-wired device, which should be installed by an electrician. The experts agree that it’s important to install a smoke detector in all the rooms of your home including the kitchen, living areas, bedrooms and basement, whether it’s a finished or an unfinished space. When you’re shopping for smoke detectors you’ll see manufacturers often sell them in packs of two, four or six, encouraging you to follow this advice.
Look for a 10-year lithium battery-operated smoke alarm, and plan to replace it in a decade. A popular choice is a photoelectric detector that uses a beam of light that sounds an alarm when disrupted by smoke. Other features to consider are an easy-to-install twist/lock mounting system, a loud 85-decibel alarm, a voice warning and an easy-to-reach test/button to check that the alarm is working. You’ll also find combination devices that detect smoke and carbon monoxide.
