Most casualties of fire are caused by smoke inhalation. When you are asleep and there is a fire in your house, the smell of smoke will not wake you up. Since smoke contains many toxic gases, it can knock you unconscious. Often within just a few minutes.
Smoke detectors will sound when they detect smoke. This often happens before you can see or smell the smoke yourself, also when you are awake. Because of the sound of the smoke detector , you can escape in time. The sooner you detect a fire, the more time and opportunity you have to leave your home safely. This is why a smoke detector in your home can save lives.
Motiongraphic BKCN Prevention - Smoke detectors
20-04-20210:00:49mp444.3 MB
DownloadDo you already have a smoke detector installed at your home?
In a fire, most casualties fall because of smoke inhalation.
Smoke released by fire is toxic and spreads quickly. That's why it is of vital importance to detect a fire quickly.
Smoke detectors sound an alarm when they detect smoke. They often do so before you can even see or smell the smoke yourself.
The sooner you detect a fire, the more time and opportunity you have to leave your home safely.
Smoke detectors save lives. For more information, visit www.rijksdienstcn.com.
More about smoke detectors
It is wise to install a smoke detector in an escape route. It is even better to also install smoke detector in all bedrooms and in areas where fires can start. A number of things must be taking into account when installing a smoke detector :
- Install the smoke detector on the ceiling. Smoke and heat rise to the ceiling and spread horizontally.
- Install the smoke detector at least 50 cm from a wall or corner and away from draughts and mechanical ventilation systems.
- If your house has multiple floors, you should install at least one smoke detector on each floor.
- It is wise to install smoke detectors in multiple places.
Smoke detectors react to smoke or heat, through a sensor which uses radiation. If the signal is blocked, the smoke detector will go off. It is therefore recommended not to install a smoke detector in certain places, such as:
- near a ventilator or a vent hole
- above a heater
- in draughty areas
- in spaces where a great amount of steam/vapour rises, like in the bathroom or above a cooker or dishwasher. If the bathroom is equipped with appliances which can cause a fire, then you should install a smoke detector outside the bathroom at least 50 cm from the bathroom door.
Since smoke detectors also go off when there is much dust build-up around the sensor, it is important to clean it regularly. If too much dust builds up in the smoke detector, it will prevent the smoke detector from functioning properly. You should therefore regularly remove dust from the smoke detector , for instance when you test it or when you replace the battery.
Test the smoke detector monthly to check whether it still functions properly. Usually the smoke detector is fitted with a test button. It can help to schedule a fixed moment to test the smoke detector , for instance always on the first Monday of the month.
The battery of most smoke detectors lasts at least one year. There also are smoke detectors which use a lithium battery, these last even up to ten years. Tip: attach a sticker to the smoke detector , containing the date on which the battery needs to be replaced. This way you know exactly when the battery was replaced last. If the battery is almost depleted, you will hear a beeping sound every other minute. You can also set a fixed date on which you always replace the battery of your smoke detector .
If a smoke detector sounds, this means that smoke is being detected. It is therefore important that everybody goes outside as quickly as possible, where they are brought to safety.
You can buy a smoke detector at the DIY shop or an electronics shop.
