Village Voice February/March 2012 | Page 20

And check your Smoke Alarms. Positioning/Siting: ü You can buy smoke alarms for as little as £5 in any DIY store ü The minimum recommended number of smoke alarms in the home is one per floor protecting your escape routes i.e. landings & hallways. ü Smoke alarms shouldn’t be situated in or near bathrooms and kitchens as the steam and cooking fumes sets them off. ü Where possible, they should always be mounted on the ceiling not the walls as they don’t work so effectively on the walls. ü Smoke alarms should be fitted at least 12inches from walls, corners or light fittings. Testing and Maintenance: ü You should test your alarm once a week by pressing and holding the test button until the alarm beeps for approx 2-3 seconds. ü Once every six [۝