Fire detectors

[Amethyst Rose]

I was wondering how many people's fire detectors actually work. In my house growing up and even now, the fire detector by the kitchen never has any batteries in it, because the heat or smoke from cooking would set it off. The other detectors rarely had batteries becasue they'd die and no one would remember to replace the batteries.
So, do you regularily (every 6 months) check your fire detectors and change the batteries, or are you like me and my family, and neglectful?

[Klucky]

hammar + badly wired circuits = no more working detectors for Klucky

-Klucky

[Tzhebee]

My smoke detector always goes off when cooking...it's activated by heat-not necessarily smoke...so we pulled the batteries. (bad girl)

But we do have working CO2 detectors. :thumbsup:

[Faeawyn]

Most smoke detectors in newer home are hardwired, with battery back-ups. So as far as I know, mine still work. They beeped now and again during the hurricane because of the power surges and brown and black outs. They don't have backup batteries in them, so when the power goes out, they get angry :lol:

[Mjollnir]

I was wondering how many people's fire detectors actually work. In my house growing up and even now, the fire detector by the kitchen never has any batteries in it, because the heat or smoke from cooking would set it off. The other detectors rarely had batteries becasue they'd die and no one would remember to replace the batteries.
So, do you regularily (every 6 months) check your fire detectors and change the batteries, or are you like me and my family, and neglectful?



CHANGE THEM 2x A YEAR!!!!!!!!! October is also Fire Prevention Month. I have been a volunteer F.F. for the past 15 years so this topic is kinda close to home. I hope you also have extinguishers in your home, practice exit drills, know the phone numbers, have a meeting place in case of a fire etc. etc.

[Amethyst Rose]

CHANGE THEM 2x A YEAR!!!!!!!!! October is also Fire Prevention Month. I have been a volunteer F.F. for the past 15 years so this topic is kinda close to home. I hope you also have extinguishers in your home, practice exit drills, know the phone numbers, have a meeting place in case of a fire etc. etc.

Nope...never did growing up, either.

[WitchJezebel]

Yup, mine all work as well as my carbon monoxide alarm, which every home should have.

[Athena-Nadine]

All of mine work. We have them on every floor, including the basement. All the smoke alarms that came in the house, with the exception of the ones in the basement, are hardwired. There is a master smoke alarm upstairs that wills et off every other one in the house. The ones in the basement don't have batteries. They are wound up with a key. When they go off (I set one off by accident pulling it down) they're louder than the others. There is also a master smoke alarm that is attached to my house alarm; if it goes off it automatically causes the Fire Department to be called, whether we're home or not.

[Aidron]

No. Ours are no longer function. Every bloody time we go to cook all of them would go off, so I finally took the batteries out and now they're just eye sores on the ceiling and walls.

To hell with those lousy things I say. :rolleyes:

[Radocs]

All of mine work. They're useless otherwise.

[Shanti]

Well I had some cheap ones...they went off all the time. My trailers is small with low ceilings so I couldnt find a place to put them that wasnt near the kitchen or furnace, which both set them off!!! After battling with the darn things I through them out. I have none now. A friend said the more expensive ones are better but 1, I dont have the money and 2, I dont want to waiste money finding out the more costly ones still dont work for a darn!!

So I dont have any!

[Mjollnir]

Nope...never did growing up, either.

No. Ours are no longer function. Every bloody time we go to cook all of them would go off, so I finally took the batteries out and now they're just eye sores on the ceiling and walls.

To hell with those lousy things I say.


:G :flamer: :grrrrr: :meanface: :bangyourh :bastard:

[Annest]

I have two,and they are working the way they should, i check them once a month. I think that it´s a cheap life-insurance.

[Avalon]

I have one in the basement, and one on the main floor - my tenants have one upstairs as well. I change the batteries probably about once a year, and when the oven sets it off, I just get a magazine and fan the smoke away...or disconnect it while I cook, and set an egg timer to remind me to reconnect it when I'm done. :)

[Shanti]

I did find an awsome replacement for the typical detector thats unreliable.....3 dogs and 4 cats!!! :)

[Klucky]

I did find an awsome replacement for the typical detector thats unreliable.....3 dogs and 4 cats!!! :)

"Hmmm...well that cat's dead. I think there's a fire in here."

:D

-Klucky

[Aidron]

:G :flamer: :grrrrr: :meanface: :bangyourh :bastard:


Care to offer a constructive response instead of just emoticons which can be more than a little vague? :rolleyes:

[Arinya]

We had to take the one in the dining room down because it would go off EVERY SINGLE TIME we cooked, even with the doors and windows open! There was never ANY smoke so I just can't figure out why it kept going off...and with a SO that sleeps during the day (works 3rd shift) I can NOT have the fire alarm going off everytime I want to eat. So I took it down.

If the fire alarm makers really want to make money maybe they should make an alarm that works at a price that the rest of us can pay.

[Shanti]

True story. I was working in the yard. I went into the house to pee. I had a cig and layed it in the ash tray. I went back outside and forgot about it. A little while later the dogs where barking in the house and putting up a ruckus. I went in to see what was up. The cig had fallen out of the ashtray and my dog, Toad, stomped it out and tore it to tiny wet pieces. No fire because Toad was on it ASAP.
If I throw a lit cig on the ground, Toad will go jump and attack till its out!!
I'd like to see a smoke alarm do that!!!
I have since taught all 3 dogs to put out cigs and go balistic around fire, except the bon fire outside!!! That, they know to just sit back and enjoy!! But a hot ash kicks out and they are either on it, stomping, biting and barking if its small, or are just barking!!! They do have enough brains to know whats to big to slobber out!! :)

[Flaire-FireStar]

The battery needs to be changed.

The CO detector, on the other hand, is fine and dandy.

[Arinya]

True story. I was working in the yard. I went into the house to pee. I had a cig and layed it in the ash tray. I went back outside and forgot about it. A little while later the dogs where barking in the house and putting up a ruckus. I went in to see what was up. The cig had fallen out of the ashtray and my dog, Toad, stomped it out and tore it to tiny wet pieces. No fire because Toad was on it ASAP.
If I throw a lit cig on the ground, Toad will go jump and attack till its out!!
I'd like to see a smoke alarm do that!!!
I have since taught all 3 dogs to put out cigs and go balistic around fire, except the bon fire outside!!! That, they know to just sit back and enjoy!! But a hot ash kicks out and they are either on it, stomping, biting and barking if its small, or are just barking!!! They do have enough brains to know whats to big to slobber out!! :)

*applauds the dogs!*
I think pets deserve a lot more credit then they get sometimes! :uhhuhuh:

[Shanti]

I had a little peek_a_poo once ( He died of old age) and he went barking crazy in the window. I told him to get out of the window, he usually would listen, this time he ignored me so, I finally went to see why he was being bark crazy....the neighbors car was on fire and parked next to our house!!!! 911 put the fire out!!!!

I am not saying alarms are bad...I just found my dogs do a better job for me!!!

[Klucky]

I once read a true story about a dog who saw a fire start in his house. The owners were asleep and they had him locked in another room, so he chewed through all the wood doors in order to get to them.

-Klucky

[vulfsung]

Yep, mine work, so do the carbon monoxide detectors. We change batteries twice a year, as part of the time change ritual....change the clocks, change the batteries-that way I don't forget.

For the kitchen, I got a remote controlled one, so that if it goes off while cooking, i just grab the stereo remote-which is in the kitchen anyways :bigblue: and turn it off. I also have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, as well as 3 in the basement, one in each garage...you never know when you might need one, and it's cheap insurance.

Growing up, we never had a working kitchen one, but all the others did. After my Dad set the kitchen on fire making french fries on the stove top, that changed, we had a working smoke detector, and a fire extinguisher...

[Bainidhe Dub]

Seeing as my father and oh... 3/4 of my family are deeply involved with volunteer fire depts... if I didn't have one, I'd be skinned alive. They're checked constantly.

As for pets, I love mine and I know they're smart... but smoke inhalation is just as damaging to them as it is for us - even more so when you think of how much smaller their lungs are.

I've seen and heard enough to stick with a smoke detector.

[Mjollnir]

Care to offer a constructive response instead of just emoticons which can be more than a little vague? :rolleyes:



If you read my original post in this thread you would have seen my "constructive response" and the common sense of having them and taking care of them should be a no brainer, but since my emoticons were in part directed at your answer.....
[QUOTE=Raven greywind]No. Ours are no longer function. Every bloody time we go to cook all of them would go off, so I finally took the batteries out and now they're just eye sores on the ceiling and walls.

To hell with those lousy things I say.[QUOTE]

I would say constructive responses would go unheeded

[Mjollnir]

I figured for the sake of argument, I would supply some "constructive" suggestions instead of "vague" emoticons for not only Raven, but for anyone else interested. I told you all earlier this is a very important thing for me.

1) If you dont have some/heat/CO detectors, get 'em. Place them properly on ceilings, away from any fans and avoid corners, thats dead air and it may not work effectively if a fire starts. CO detectors are also especially useful in basements where hot water heaters/gas furnaces are. in the winter I cannot tell you how many CO calls we go on.

2) Change the batteries 2x a year when you set the clocks back/ahead for daylight savings time, if you live in one of those states that does not use DST, change 'em at that time anyways.

3) Have escape routes preplanned from your home and a meeting place already known to everyone, then once a month/bi-monthly conduct fire drills. If you live on the 2nd, 3rd floor etc. get the rope ladders that affix to the windowsill.

4) Make sure everyone knows the emergency #'s of who to call.

5) Once you are out STAY OUT, the F.D. dont need to be dragging you out.

6) Have extinguishers and the PROPER type in your house, best bet is to buy either the 5 or 10lb Class A/B/C multi-purpose dry chemical extinguisher. A/B/C ext. will put out just about anything in your house unless its past the point of "look, a fire started". Class A is ordinary materials, wood, paper and certain plastics, Class B is flammable liquids and Class C is for electrical equipment, Class C can be safely used on even energized equipment. Make sure the extinguishers are located in easy to reach places and never blocked, check them once a month to make sure the needle on the charge indicator is in the green and once a year take them to be serviced, it is a small price to pay.

7) Make sure if you have children they dont hide under beds, in closets etc. if they are trapped in a room with a window, close the door, keep it closed, towels by the floor, open the window and scream like hell.

8) ALWAYS feel a door before you open it, use the back of your hand as it is more sensitive, start at the top and work your way down, if it's hot, dont open it.

9) If a fire does break out dont be a hero, get the hell out and call 911. We lost a Mack truck dealership here 3 years ago because they were tarring the roof and it caught fire and tried to put it out themselves and waited 30 minutes before calling us......needless to say they are putting a Wendy's where Cambria Mack USED to be.


I guess thats it for now, if anyone wants to know more either ask or ask your kids what their school does for Fire Prevention Month in October and get them involved or go to your local Firehouse, paid or volley dont matter and ask questions, they will be more than willing to help.

[Linx]

Shanti or anyone else.... most fire departments will give you free smoke detectors. Some will even INSTALL them for you.

Not having a smoke detector can void some insurance policies, as well as not having an extinguisher within so many feet of the kitchen.

I have 2 smoke detectors in my home (small house) and a co2 detector, and an extinguisher. The new building we are building will have at least the same. And yes mine go off sometimes unexpectedly, but I would rather that then be caught with my undies on fire.

[LadyTrinity]

All mine work but we keep the battery out ( I know BAD TRINITY! ) Cause ours goes off in our tiny place from oven cooking so we dont botther

[Shanti]

Shanti or anyone else.... most fire departments will give you free smoke detectors. Some will even INSTALL them for you.

Not having a smoke detector can void some insurance policies, as well as not having an extinguisher within so many feet of the kitchen.

I have 2 smoke detectors in my home (small house) and a co2 detector, and an extinguisher. The new building we are building will have at least the same. And yes mine go off sometimes unexpectedly, but I would rather that then be caught with my undies on fire.
Ummm we have a voluteer fire department that consist of the guys that work at our local factory!!! And they charge 300 for a call, even if they were not needed and you are poor as dirt living below poverty level!!

[Faeawyn]

Thank you Mjollnir for the information. And thank you for the job you do as well :thumbsup:

[Aidron]

I figured for the sake of argument, I would supply some "constructive" suggestions instead of "vague" emoticons for not only Raven, but for anyone else interested. I told you all earlier this is a very important thing for me.

1) If you dont have some/heat/CO detectors, get 'em. Place them properly on ceilings, away from any fans and avoid corners, thats dead air and it may not work effectively if a fire starts. CO detectors are also especially useful in basements where hot water heaters/gas furnaces are. in the winter I cannot tell you how many CO calls we go on.

2) Change the batteries 2x a year when you set the clocks back/ahead for daylight savings time, if you live in one of those states that does not use DST, change 'em at that time anyways.

3) Have escape routes preplanned from your home and a meeting place already known to everyone, then once a month/bi-monthly conduct fire drills. If you live on the 2nd, 3rd floor etc. get the rope ladders that affix to the windowsill.

4) Make sure everyone knows the emergency #'s of who to call.

5) Once you are out STAY OUT, the F.D. dont need to be dragging you out.

6) Have extinguishers and the PROPER type in your house, best bet is to buy either the 5 or 10lb Class A/B/C multi-purpose dry chemical extinguisher. A/B/C ext. will put out just about anything in your house unless its past the point of "look, a fire started". Class A is ordinary materials, wood, paper and certain plastics, Class B is flammable liquids and Class C is for electrical equipment, Class C can be safely used on even energized equipment. Make sure the extinguishers are located in easy to reach places and never blocked, check them once a month to make sure the needle on the charge indicator is in the green and once a year take them to be serviced, it is a small price to pay.

7) Make sure if you have children they dont hide under beds, in closets etc. if they are trapped in a room with a window, close the door, keep it closed, towels by the floor, open the window and scream like hell.

8) ALWAYS feel a door before you open it, use the back of your hand as it is more sensitive, start at the top and work your way down, if it's hot, dont open it.

9) If a fire does break out dont be a hero, get the hell out and call 911. We lost a Mack truck dealership here 3 years ago because they were tarring the roof and it caught fire and tried to put it out themselves and waited 30 minutes before calling us......needless to say they are putting a Wendy's where Cambria Mack USED to be.


I guess thats it for now, if anyone wants to know more either ask or ask your kids what their school does for Fire Prevention Month in October and get them involved or go to your local Firehouse, paid or volley dont matter and ask questions, they will be more than willing to help.



I did not read one thing I was not already aware of. However, in this day and age things are about quantity, not quality, and fire detectors going off at the slightest rise in temperature is not only absurd, but absolutely infuriating.

I shall never have another one in any home I live in again, and even my mother agrees, the one who is utterly terrified of fire. You could cook a simple egg with the fan above the oven on in our house and they would go off. Light a few candles in a room on the other side of the house and close the door? Sure, but expect them to go off in roughly 15 minutes.

This has been true of every fire and smoke detector we have ever had in any home. Some were free, given by the local fire department, others were bought and paid top dollar for (the ones we have now for instance), yet not only do they refuse to function properly, the time our house did catch on fire they never even went off, and here's why according to the local fire department:

"Well, the fire was on the outside of the house, specifically in the attic and coming up through the roof. Your smoke detectors really couldn't have detected that."

Great, so who needs 'em then. :rolleyes:

[Mjollnir]

I did not read one thing I was not already aware of. However, in this day and age things are about quantity, not quality, and fire detectors going off at the slightest rise in temperature is not only absurd, but absolutely infuriating.

I shall never have another one in any home I live in again, and even my mother agrees, the one who is utterly terrified of fire. You could cook a simple egg with the fan above the oven on in our house and they would go off. Light a few candles in a room on the other side of the house and close the door? Sure, but expect them to go off in roughly 15 minutes.

This has been true of every fire and smoke detector we have ever had in any home. Some were free, given by the local fire department, others were bought and paid top dollar for (the ones we have now for instance), yet not only do they refuse to function properly, the time our house did catch on fire they never even went off, and here's why according to the local fire department:

"Well, the fire was on the outside of the house, specifically in the attic and coming up through the roof. Your smoke detectors really couldn't have detected that."

Great, so who needs 'em then. :rolleyes:


If you didn't read one thing you werent already aware of you should have mentioned it in your response instead of attempting to be cute about it. If you wish to fosake "inconvienence" for peace and quiet, be my guest...I dont live near you so it wont be me dragging you out of your house...

Temperature has nothing to do with it unless it is heat detectors you were using and not smoke, if you generate that much smoke and or heat cooking eggs or using candles I guess theres a problem that needs to be addressed. If your house caught fire on the outside and worked its way through the soffets into the attic it is a no brainer smoke/heat detectors would not have gone off....unless that is you have them IN the attic and if you have one you should anyways. I dont know what brand detectors you have but I have no problems with any of the ones I have, I use all the newest First Alert ones...but like I said...if you are having all these "problems" with them, it sounds like it isnt the detectors fault.

As far as who needs them??? people who DONT want their house burned down or people who ALREADY have had a fire, regardless if it "was on the outside of the house" or not, an ounce of prevention is worth not having the Red Cross seek temporary shelter for you.

[Arinya]

Sigh, this is an arguement that will not solve anything!
:ack:

[Infinite Muse]

i don't have a fire detector
i have a smoke detector and it works altogether too well ..