I’ve been incredibly bad of the last few years in that I haven’t had smoke alarms fitted where I live.
In the Bromley flat I think it was pure laziness on my part (I’d purchased a pack of two at some point, they were sitting in a cupboard), I have no other excuse for putting my family’s life at risk.
On a recent visit to B&Q, I picked up a smoke alarm, it was cheap (cost about £3 or so), and it didn’t work.
So this morning I’ve been researching them a little, finding out about the different types and getting the required ones for the house we’re in now. I’ve gone for an ionisation and also an optical smoke alarm. This should cover both fast burning (think electrical appliance) fires and also the slow smoldering (think burning sofa) fires.
When we look at decorating the rest of the house, I think I’ll consider mains powered devices, possibly with link-up (so one going off will set the rest off) but these are certainly a start and I know Emma will be more at ease with them fitted in the house.