Don't Cut Corners On Your Family's Fire Protection

So, you finally built that beautiful new home. It is several thousand square feet, with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a walk-in closet for everyone. Or maybe it is just a nice, conservative single-story with just enough space for your family. Either way, protecting your investment is a vital part of home-ownership. You already opted for the high-tech burglar alarm with motion detectors, cameras, and laser beams. So, why would you protect your family from a fire, using only a couple of cheap smoke alarms? Why not upgrade that fancy security system to include a fire alarm system? But first, here are a few things you should know.

Why not just use a smoke alarm?

For small homes with one bedroom, a simple smoke alarm may be just fine. However, if your home is more than 900 square feet, or you have more than one bedroom, you are already going to need multiple smoke detectors. What happens if a fire is detected on one side of the house, but your family is on the other side? Can you hear all of the smoke alarms from anywhere in your home? If not, integration is essential. A fire alarm system allows you to have all of the smoke detectors wired together. That way, if one goes off, they all go off. If your home is very large, this could save lives.

Fire alarm installation is not a DIY project.

Unless you are a licensed alarm technician, installing an integrated fire alarm system is a project best left to the professionals. In many states, professionals are required to carry a fire and safety alarm license in order to legally install these systems. The state fire marshal certifies these individuals, so that you can be sure that everything is wired correctly, and that your family will have adequate protection throughout the entire home.

Professionally installed does not mean maintenance-free.

Just like any smoke alarm, the detectors in your fire alarm system need to be checked periodically, and the batteries need to be replaced as per the manufacturer's instructions. Even if your system is electric, it will have a battery backup that will enable it to protect your family during a power outage. Speak to your alarm technician about how often the batteries in your particular system need to be replaced as well as the proper way to access and replace them. 

Protecting your family from a fire is no job for a cheap smoke alarm. A fire alarm system will keep your whole family safe throughout your entire home. Contact a company like Bevan Security Systems, Inc. today for more information.