The turkey is ready for the oven, the sides are on the stove, and the doorbell just rang. With that much happening at once, it’s easy to get pulled away from the kitchen. This week’s Alert 360 Pro Tip puts Thanksgiving fire safety on your prep list with one simple step. Before you preheat the oven, test your smoke alarms.
Test your smoke alarms before you start cooking
If you haven’t tested your smoke alarms this month, do it while the kitchen is still quiet. Press the test button on each alarm according to the manufacturer’s instructions and listen for it to sound. If an alarm fails the test, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to restore or replace it.
The U.S. Fire Administration recommends testing smoke alarms monthly and placing them on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas. Read the U.S. Fire Administration’s smoke alarm guidance.
Keep Thanksgiving cooking distractions in check
• Stay with the stove. Keep an eye on food while you fry, boil or broil. If you need to step away to greet guests, turn off the burner first.
• Set a timer for the turkey. Stay home while it cooks, and use a timer to remind yourself to check it regularly.
• Clear the area around the burners. Give dish towels, oven mitts and paper recipe cards a spot away from the stovetop.
• Keep your smoke alarms powered. If you’re certain burnt food set off the alarm and there’s no fire, ventilate the kitchen and use the hush button if available. Leave the batteries in place. If there’s a fire, get everyone outside and call 911 from outside.
How Alert 360’s smart smoke detector adds protection
A working smoke alarm gives people inside an early warning. With an Alert 360 smart smoke detector connected to your professionally monitored security system, a smoke alarm event can also reach the monitoring team. That gives you another layer of protection when you’re away from home, whether you’re picking up a last-minute ingredient or spending Thanksgiving with family.
• Connected alerts. Your Alert 360 system relays smoke alarm events so you can be notified quickly.
• 24/7 professional monitoring. The monitoring team can help coordinate the next steps when it receives a signal.
• One connected system. Smoke detection works alongside the rest of your Alert 360 home security setup.
Explore Alert 360’s smoke detection and life safety devices.
Put fire safety on your Thanksgiving prep list
Before the first dish goes in the oven, give your smoke alarms a quick test. Then, when guests arrive and the kitchen gets busy, you’ll already have one important safety check taken care of.
Want to add monitored smoke detection to your home? Request a free quote from Alert 360. Already an Alert 360 customer? Ask our team about adding a smart smoke detector to your system.