It goes without saying that every home should have a smoke alarm. You never know when you might need it, and it might save your life.
So for anyone who's been putting off putting up a fire alarm or feels daunted by the thought of drilling into the ceiling to install one, we're here to tell you that there is much quicker and easier way to do it.
All you need is five minutes and a pack of VELCRO® Brand Heavy Duty Stick On Coins. Read on for our easy fire alarm installation guide.
How to put up a fire alarm without drilling
Putting up a smoke alarm without drilling is super easy. All you need is a pack of VELCRO® Brand Heavy Duty Stick On Coins.
Stick one side of the hook and loop coin to the ceiling, and the other half to your smoke alarm. Then simply stick it on!
Installation takes less than five minutes and when you need to take your smoke alarm down to change the battery, simply peel it off.
How many do you need?
This depends on your individual circumstances (i.e. the size and layout of your home). But when in doubt, remember that fires can start anywhere. So the more fire alarms you have, the greater the level of protection.
Where to put them?
For the minimum level of protection, you need at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home. But a smoke alarm in every room (apart from the bathroom) will provide the greatest level of protection.
Don't put one in the bathroom as steam can set it off by mistake. And you should put a heat alarm in the kitchen, with a fire alarm just outside, to avoid frequent false alarms.
Testing your smoke alarm & changing the battery
Smoke alarms require very little maintenance but according to the Fire Service, there are a couple of things you should do every year to make sure they're working properly:
- Test it and vacuum it to remove dust from the sensors
- Change the battery (unless it has a ten year battery)
And after ten years, it's recommended that you buy a whole new alarm.
So now you know how to fit a smoke alarm without drilling, go ahead and make sure you've got one installed in your home. And if you know an older person who may have difficulty installing a fire alarm themselves, pop round and help them fit one.
And if you'd like to discover more handy ways to use VELCRO® Brand Fasteners around the home, stay on our blog!