Smoke detectors
Make sure your home is well protected from smoke and fire with the right alarm system.
Tips from London Fire Brigade
Smoke alarm or heat alarm—what's the difference?
Smoke alarms detect smoke. Fit them in all rooms where a fire might start. In smoky or steamy rooms, like your kitchen or bathroom, a heat alarm is more suitable.
Smoke and fire alarm must-knows
Don't just fit a smoke alarm in your hall and landing. Also, fit them in any room where a fire can start. For example, any room where you smoke or leave appliances plugged in.
Smoke alarms are not suitable for kitchens but heat alarms are. Fitting a heat alarm in your kitchen will give you warning of an increase in temperature caused by a fire but will not be set off by cooking fumes.
Some battery or mains alarms can be interlinked, so that when one alarm detects a fire they all go off together, giving you warning wherever you are in your home. This is particularly important where a person has any issues that may prevent or delay their escape to ensure they are alerted to a fire as soon as possible.
If you choose to have a mains-powered alarm, make sure it's installed by a qualified electrician.
It's also possible to fit extra automatic 'fire suppression' systems at home—that's things like sprinklers. These are a great idea if there's anything that might prevent you escaping quickly.
10 tips to get your fire alarm system sorted
A single smoke alarm isn't enough.
Consider everyone's needs—if there's any reason there might be a delay in noticing or escaping from a fire, seek extra help.
Make sure any alarms you buy are marked with a current British Standards or European (CE) safety mark, which shows they are approved and safe.
Fit smoke alarms on a ceiling (or high up on a wall, if the instructions state it is suitable for wall mounting).
Make sure you fit an appropriate alarm in every room where there's a fire risk.
Follow the instructions that come with the alarm when it comes to installation– they all work in different ways.
Screw don't glue – if you use glue, it can seep into the alarm, and stop it working.
Fit your smoke alarms away from kitchens or bathrooms as steam can damage the alarm, or set it off by mistake.
Fit a heat alarm in the kitchen.
Choose smoke alarms with a 10 year or long-lasting sealed battery.
Not sure if your smoke alarms are safe?
A free home fire safety visit is a good way to get expert advice on fire detection, and learn ways to stay fire safe: Home fire safety visits.
For more information, please visit: London Fire Brigade