The Importance of Properly Functioning Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarms

Hi all, Use My Guy here with some handy tips for homeowners about smoke detectors and CO (Carbon Monoxide) detectors.  Having both types of detectors is crucial for all homes but especially for homes with gas or fuel burning appliances such as a water heater or a furnace.  But even those with all electric homes should consider having CO alarms installed as CO can seep into a house through the garage if a car is left on and forgotten about. 

Combination Sensor

CO poisoning is nothing to scoff at.  In February in Michigan an entire family of six was killed by running a backup generator after their power had been knocked out by a severe storm.  The worst part about it was that they had no idea what was happening, they were not asleep they were all doing normal everyday things.  The mother was found next to the crib where the infant was found and the other three children were found in various states of activity.  This is a somber reminder of how important it is to have the proper early warning equipment and to ensure that it is in good working order.

According to most manufacturers it is important to test your batteries at least every six months.  You can expect your batteries to last much longer these days (up to ten years with Lithium Ion batteries) but depending on the year and make of your detectors they may not last as long.  Checking the batteries is as simple as getting on a ladder and pressing a button.  Simple and quick, the few minutes you take to check them could save your life or that of your loved ones!

Basic yet generally unknown information on smoke detectors.

Did you know there are two different types of smoke detectors?  Both types only detect one type of fire.  The first is a photoelectric alarm.  These types of alarms are best at detecting slow burning smoldering fires and are not prone to being set off by food fires or steam.  These are best installed around the kitchen and bathroom.   The second type of alarm is an ionization alarm which is best for detecting fast, flaming fires that don’t put out as much smoke.  Unfortunately these types of alarms are more likely to give off false alerts making them poor choices for kitchens and bathrooms as even steam can set these types of alarms off.  The most effective strategy for smoke alarms is to have both types of alarms throughout your house that way you know that whatever type of fire is started you will have an alarm that can detect it.  It is possible to find alarms that have both types of sensor but these are more prone to false alerts and they will not alert you if only one type of sensor fails.  Therefore it is impossible to know if both sensors are working properly because they will only alert you if both fail.

Now let us talk about wired, wireless and synchronized alarms.  If you are looking for quick and easy protection there are smoke alarms that only need batteries, but if you are looking for a long term investment that can save you money on your  insurance and raise the value of your home than a wired system is a much better bet.  Although some wireless systems do come with a synchronization option these models do not have a backup if the batteries die.  On the flip side if you are the one person who checks their batteries on a regular basis than these models are super easy to replace and move around the house.  Wired systems are all automatically synchronized, this means that if one alarm is set off they will all go off.  This is an extremely important feature for large or multi-level homes because if one goes off in the kitchen downstairs then the alarms by the bedrooms or in the basement will go off as well ensuring that no matter where you are you will be informed of the situation.  The down side?  These types of alarms do require a rudimentary knowledge of electrical systems and if there is a system failure (which is much rarer than battery operated systems) there is a possibility of having to shut down the power to the house while you or your local handyman try to figure out what is wrong.

Digital CO Sensor

 When it comes to replacing smoke detectors it is a safe bet that if one stops working the others will soon follow.  The reason for this is that smoke detectors have an average life span of about ten years and about that time they WILL stop functioning correctly.  What happens is that over the years dust will collect on the sensor or the sensor will naturally decay.  When this occurs you will begin to hear the familiar and irritating beep that means it is time to change out your batteries and if the beeping persists after you change the battery then it is time to replace your detectors.  Now what often happens is that one detector will break and most homeowners will spend enough money to replace the broken one.  Then a month later another one will break and the process repeats itself again and again because who wants to spend more money than they absolutely have to right?  The best solution is to have all of the detectors replaced when one breaks because the others will not be far behind.  This will save you a substantial sum of money because you will only have to pay your local handyman to come out to your house once.  In addition to only paying for one service call, buying a bulk amount of detectors will often lead to even more savings.

CO sensor important facts for proper installation.

·        

     Do Not's

·       Do not place a CO sensor near appliances or in hot, humid, or very cold areas.

·       Do not place sensors within 20 feet of any fuel burning source such as a fireplace or a wood stove.

·       Do not place sensors in direct sunlight or in areas with turbulent air such as near a fan or vent.

·      Do This

·       Do place sensor at eye level.

·       Do get a sensor that can synchronize with your other alarms

·       Do get a sensor with a digital display

·       Do place sensors at least 20 feet away from your garage door

·       Do place sensors where they will be visible

·       Do check sensor batteries yearly

If you follow these simple steps you will ensure that your home will be well protected from the silent and deadly threat of CO poisoning.  Take time to-day to check your sensors and if you don’t have one then get one as soon as possible, it could save your life.

If you need sensors replaced then call your local handyman, Use My Guy Services and don’t forget to have all of your sensors replaced as it is not worth the risk of having to pay for multiple service calls.  Use My Guy Services is a local, family owned and operated handyman service with dozens of 5 star reviews on yelp.  We are also proud bearers of an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and have received the Angies List Super Service Award for 2015 after only being with them for one year. Call us today at (602)316-9187 to schedule an appointment with one of our qualified and friendly technicians.  Also check us out at usemyguyservices.com and like us on Facebook to get more great tips and news.

Handy embellishments for handy people.

  

Use My Guy here with some great ideas for embellishments that are not only useful but also beautiful. Embellishments are a great way to add value, accessibility and comfort to your house. There are so many different things that you can do for your house to make it uniquely you that it would be impossible to talk about them all, but I am going to talk about 5 great ideas that will change the way you and others will see and interact with your house.

1)    Pendant lighting.
Ever walk into your house at night and bump your shin on the sofa table near the door?  I know I have and I don’t like it. Easy fix.  Pendant lighting is beautiful and can be connected to a motion sensing switch that will turn on the light when you enter your home.  We have installed many systems like this for customers and the reports have always been the same. People love them.  They are handy for midnight bathroom trips and they’re a great way to alert you when your teenagers come in later than they are supposed to.  Pendant lighting is extra versatile because they come in so many shapes and sizes.  From reading lights in the bedroom to kitchens and hallways they always make the room a brighter place.

                                                2)    Mirrors.
Mirrors are great because they add perceived depth to any room that they occupy.  Hanging a mirror can be a difficult task but with the right tools and know how it can be an easy way to add light and extra space to your room without going through the expensive and time consuming process of adding windows to a room or worse yet having the entire space remodeled.  Mirrors don’t just go in living rooms though.  Medicine
cabinets are important additions to bathrooms and if you are living in an older house or mobile home chances are your bathroom does not have one.  That being said medicine cabinets are crucial to having an organized bathroom and for keeping items that are not safe   out of the hands of little ones.  You can even have a lock installed for peace of mind.


3)    Door and cabinet knobs.
Gold doorknobs are so 1985 right?  I think so and I bet there plenty of you out there that would agree.  Nowadays doorknobs come in just about every shape, size and color so there is no reason for you to have to keep looking at something that looks like it is plastic and coated with cheap paint.  Cabinet knobs are the same way. No longer is there only one style to choose from, there are thousands that will accompany every possible style and taste.  Keep in mind that when you purchase new cupboards they will not come with knobs.  Silly right?  That’s ok though because it will give you the opportunity to choose exactly the right fit for your kitchen or bathroom.

4)    Ceiling Fans
Now here’s a great way to cool your home, reduce your electric bill and add style to your living, dining or bedroom.  Ceiling fans come in every style imaginable and they are getting cooler and cooler (pun intended) every year.  Not only are to-days fan options incredibly diverse you can take it one step further to make it uniquely your own by adding a custom light kit to it.  If you want something that none of your friends have, then check out a store like Lamps Plus.  There you will find fans and lighting that is significantly higher quality than your average home improvement store and they will have more diverse and interesting styles to suit your distinctive taste.

5)    Shelving
Having a custom bookshelf built or even going down to Ikea is hands down the best way to set your living space apart from others and organize your books, pictures and knick-knacks.  Ikea can be a hassle but your living room will thank you by making it easier to find what you are looking for and with the many styles to choose from, chances of getting something that your neighbor across the street has are pretty slim.  Another great thing about shelving is that you can use as little or as much as you would like and it can be recessed, attached to a wall or (for those of you that like to change things up often) freestanding for easy moving.


So, I hope these were helpful ideas that you can use to make your home a better place for you and your family.  Use My Guy Services is a local, family owned and operated handyman service that can do all of these things for you at a great rate that will be easy on your wallet and your eyes.  For more ideas or if you have questions give us a call at (602)316-9187 or click here to visit our website and we will be happy to bring your ideas to life.