Why should I have a working smoke alarm?

A smoke detector is the one device in your home  that will alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day seven days a week.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.

What powers a smoke alarm?

Smoke alarms are either battery powered or hardwired into the home’s electrical system. If the smoke alarm is powered by battery, it runs on either a disposable 9-volt battery or a non-replaceable 10-year lithium (“long-life”) battery. A backup battery is usually present on hardwired alarms and may need to be replaced.

These batteries must be tested on a regular basis and, in most cases, should be replaced at least once each year (except for lithium batteries). See the Smoke Alarm Maintenance section for more information.

Are smoke alarms expensive?

Smoke alarms are not expensive and are worth the lives they can help save. Ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms cost between $6 and $20. Dual sensor smoke alarms cost between $24 and $40.

Cardoso Electrical installs smoke detectors  for residential and commercial properties. Call 781-246-7700 or 781-246-9800.  We’re available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.