So this weekend whilst I was being made a full English breakfast I quickly checked my emails and Facebook account and noticed that the BBC News section mentioned a fire in Dorset.
Now a very good friend of mine (Hannah Southby nee Tigwell) recently moved to Dorset, to Blandford, with her lovely husband Tim - or Pingu as he is affectionately known, they are often to be spotted down at Moors Valley Railway for those of you in the area – so say hello from me. Anyway, being the nosey breed of female I am I decided to read on and see if these two have had a lovers tiff resulting in a full on blazing row – gettit?! Ok maybe not.
Right, returning to the story at hand, it turns out a family in Poole actually had a very lucky escape. They got woken up by their little daughter crying and coughing, to discover a full blown fire raging in their home. As it is with a lot of homes they hadnt bothered with smoke alarms, and luckily managed live to tell the tale.
Seriously I dont get how people think smoke alarms are an extra not an essential part of home security.
Ok, rant now over, I promise. Now for those of you who are fitting or looking at smoke alarms for your home (and Hannah you better be fitting some in your new house and my new room!) Here is a list and a quick break down of which smoke alarms go where.
Battery alarms – tend to be ionisation alarms and are the most common variety – pick up on smoke – these alarms are a good all rounder for the home and can go anywhere.
Mains alarms – have more choice of alarm type and you dont have to worry about changing or testing the battery.
Mains alarms come in three types they are as follows.
Ionisation – which detect smoke and are the most common of alarm.
Heat – only really used for kitchen or somewhere so dusty an ionisation alarm goes off all the time.
And finally optical – which are photo electric or to put it simply sees flames, these are ideal for hallways, bedrooms (but be careful of candles) and offices.
Also it is worth noting that they shouldnt be put near a shower room or bath room as alarm will keep going off and the steam will eventually ruin the alarm.
Obviously here at Fire Protection Online we sell a wide range of Kidde smoke alarms, so please with Christmas coming up with all those fairy lights, candles, cooking turkeys and hair straighteners left on, please make sure you have enough smoke alarms for your home and that they all work.
Some local fire brigades will even come round to advise you and fit some for free.
So think it over, have a glass of mulled wine and happy shopping.
