There are approximately 10 000 fires a year. Not only does the heat of the fire cause casualties, but the smoke in particular is deadly! Especially if the fire breaks out at night. Therefore, it's crucial you invest in a good smoke detector, hang it in the right place and test it regularly. That way you can go to bed with an easy mind.
A few guidelines:
Buy an optical smoke detector. An ionization smoke alarm contains a radioactive source that continuously emits alpha particles. Under current legislation, it is no longer permitted to install ionisation smoke detectors in your home.
Purchase a smoke alarm with the required CE label and EN14604 certificate (European Standard).
Certain smoke alarms have a (non-replaceable) battery with a life span of 5 or 10 years. They cost more, but you don't have to replace the batteries for a few years.
Be sure to buy a smoke alarm that has a test button. This way you can test monthly whether your smoke detector is functioning properly.
All smoke detectors need to be replaced after 10 years. This ensures that you always have sensors that work optimally.