Smoke alarms also need testing and maintenance

Smoke detectors also need maintenance: Today's Smoke Detector Day has the motto: "Only functioning smoke detectors save lives - check smoke detectors annually and replace them after ten years".

Erding - There were 111 alarms in the Erding district last year because home smoke alarms went off and, for example, attentive neighbors or the residents themselves called the fire brigade.

So far this year there have been 58 such alarms.

A total of 169 times in which the small devices were probably able to prevent worse.

Markus Sedlmeir, spokesman for the Erding District Fire Brigade Association, gave these figures on the occasion of this year's Smoke Alarm Day, which takes place on Friday, August 13th.

Its motto is: "Only functioning smoke alarms save lives - check smoke alarms annually and replace after ten years".

This message is intended above all to remind owners of single and two-family houses as well as private landlords to check the smoke alarms in their own four walls as well as in their rented apartments every year and to replace them after ten years.

The obligation to smoke alarms does not end with the installation; testing and maintenance are also part of it

According to the district fire brigade association, the smoke detector requirement does not end with the installation, but testing and maintenance are also part of it.

“As long as the smoke alarm does not beep - whether because of a fire or low battery power - we forget the life-saving devices under the ceiling.

But only functioning smoke alarms save lives, "says Sedlmeir and adds:" It is therefore important to check the little lifesavers once a year, regardless of their battery power, and to replace them after ten years. "

The motto of this year's Smoke Detector Day is intended to point out, "because in the event of a fire, people have an average of only 120 seconds to get to safety".

“During our operations, we find out over and over again that smoke alarms save people's lives and health,” says Sedlmeir.

“That is why we are very happy to support the education about the regular inspection of the life-saving devices.

Smoke alarms should also be checked regularly and replaced in good time to prevent false alarms caused by dust or incorrectly interpreted battery warnings (and thus unnecessary work by the fire brigade), ”he explains.

Instructions: Smoke detector check in four steps

The devices should be checked according to the operating instructions, but at least once a year as follows:

• Test smoke detector via test button: If the detector no longer emits a sound, it must be replaced.

In the case of smoke alarms with replaceable batteries, you should pay particular attention to whether the batteries need to be replaced.

• Check the smoke detector for soiling and clean it carefully (with a slightly damp cloth or feather duster, do not vacuum it).

• Check the area around the detector: There must be no obstacles within 50 centimeters of the way to keep the smoke away from the detector.

Update the furnishings of the rooms: for example, has a study been converted into a guest room or a children's room?

Does anyone regularly spend the night in the living room?

Because rooms in which people sleep regularly must also be equipped with smoke detectors as bedrooms.

• If the smoke detector no longer works in spite of the new battery or if it is very dirty, it must be replaced.

After ten years, both smoke alarms with a built-in ten-year battery and smoke alarms with replaceable batteries must be replaced.

The initiative “Smoke alarms save lives”, which is run by Forum Brandrauchprävention eV, provides consumers with a free download of the new online brochure “Smoke alarms in house and apartment” at www.rauchmelder-lebensretter.de/rauchmeldertag.

It includes tips on legislation and installation, as well as instructions on how to properly test smoke alarms.

Since 2006, the Smoke Alarm Day in Germany has always been on a Friday the 13th, under the motto: "Friday the 13th could be your lucky day".  

red / vam