A smoke alarm makes a very loud noise if there is smoke in the house. This ensures you are warned in time if there is a fire so you can leave safely.
As from 1 July 2022, having a smoke alarm on every floor of a house is compulsory. It is important that they installed in the right places so that you can hear the alarm wherever you are in your home.
Always fix smoke alarms to the ceiling. Hang them in the hallway, near the stairs or in your bedroom, for example. Do not hang them next to a fan or a window as that is where the smoke clears. You can also link up several smoke alarms so that they will all go off at the same time if there is any smoke. In the kitchen, where cooking fumes can set off smoke alarms, hang a heat detector instead.
If you rent a house, the landlord must make sure there are enough smoke alarms. If you own a house, you have to install smoke alarms in your own home yourself. This also applies if there is a VvE (homeowers' association). You do not have to install them yourself in spaces that you share with others, such as the stairwell and in the entrance hall.
A fire escape plan is an agreement on how to leave safely in the event of a fire. Agree which door or window you will use and practise this together. If you have your own house, you must decide on your own escape route. If you live in an apartment complex, you must always use the stairs and follow the escape route signs. Never use the lift.
You need at least one smoke alarm per floor. If you have a long corridor or many rooms, you should hang some additional smoke alarms so you can always hear the smoke alarm. The more smoke alarms there are, the safer you and other residents will be.
A short beep usually means that the battery is low. Replace the battery immediately or buy a new smoke alarm. Every month, test whether the alarm works to make sure you will be warned of any fire in time.
Stay calm. Follow your fire escape plan and leave immediately. Close doors behind you to block smoke. Call 112 when you are safely outside. Never go back inside to get things.
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