Why your smoke alarm may NOT save your family.

Why your smoke alarms may NOT save your family.

That really gets your attention, doesn’t it?  I know I wrote about this recently, but I thought I'd repost some info and add some links.   I recently had the opportunity to hear a presentation by Skip Walker, a fellow American Society of Home Inspectors certified inspector.   His topic, as well as a passion of his is educating the public about smoke detectors.  I know what you’re thinking- “we have smoke detectors, we’re not fools”.   But were you aware that there are two very different types of smoke detectors? 

I knew there were two types, but I have to admit, I was a bit uneducated regarding how they operated and the differences between them.   I’ll let the organizations do the talking.  At the least, you’ll learn which type is best under certain conditions.   

And of course, any smoke detector is better than none.  

Below is a link to info from the The World Fire Safety Foundation.  They are an Australian based non-profit group who firmly believe that photo-electric is the only way to go. 

http://theworldfiresafetyfoundation.org/home.html   

The next link is to the National Fire Protection Association.  They have no preference. http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=1649&itemID=39909&URL=Safety%20Information/For%20consumers/Fire%20&%20safety%20equipment/Smoke%20alarms/Ionization%20vs.%20photoelectric&cookie_test=1

More programs offered through First Energy

Here is another energy related tip for this winter.

First Energy has a new program in which you’ll receive a professionally-installed programmable thermostat.    You must have central air conditioning to qualify, more details are available at www.energysaveOhio.com.  Other programs offered by First Energy can be viewed at the same website, such as the energy audits which I mentioned in previous blogs.

Sometimes you'll get notice in your bill about these programs.  It's a good idea to look around your providers website from time to time, as a lot of great programs aren't widely publicized.