Many fire victims die of inhalation of smoke and toxic gases, not because of burns. Most deaths and injuries occur in fires that happen at night while the victims are asleep. Sleepers must be warned before it is too late. When properly installed and maintained, the home smoke detector is one of the best and least expensive ways to provide early warning when a fire begins. Before the concentration of smoke reaches a dangerous level, or before the fire becomes too intense, the alarm will sound.
Smoke detectors save lives, prevent injuries and minimize property damage.
The risk of dying from fire is twice as high in homes that do not have functioning detectors. Smoke detectors work by sensing the rising smoke from a fire and sounding a piercing alarm. This sets up an electric current within the detector chamber. When smoke enters the chamber, it attaches itself to the ions and reduces the flow of electric current, thus setting off an alarm. Photoelectric detectors sound when the smoke is dense enough to deflect a beam of light.