Are there detectors on every level of the home?

Are There Detectors on Every Level of the Home?

(Or are you relying on your dog’s sudden panic as your only warning system?)

You know what’s scarier than a ghost story? Waking up to a smoke-filled kitchen or a carbon monoxide leak you can’t see or smell. The good news is—technology already invented the perfect heroes for this: smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. The bad news? Most homes don’t have enough of them.

At Staghorn Contracting, we like to keep things safe and simple, so here’s the deal: if your detectors are all on one floor, you’re basically playing hide-and-seek with danger… and danger usually wins.

Why Every Level Needs Detectors

Fires and gas leaks don’t politely announce themselves or wait until you’re standing near your one trusty hallway detector. They start wherever they feel like—kitchen, basement, attic, you name it. If you only have detectors upstairs and your laundry room bursts into flames downstairs, you might not find out until the “smoky aroma” reaches your bedroom. By then… it’s too late for casual problem-solving.

The Rule of Thumb (and Common Sense)

• Smoke detectors: At least one on every level, plus inside each bedroom and outside sleeping areas.

• Carbon monoxide detectors: One on every level, especially near bedrooms and any area with fuel-burning appliances.

• Bonus: If you have a basement, it counts as a level—yes, even if it’s just where you keep old exercise equipment.

“But My House is Small…”

Even in smaller homes, detectors are like snacks: more is better. A few extra alarms can mean the difference between grabbing the fire extinguisher and grabbing the phone to call your insurance company.

Don’t Forget the Maintenance

Having detectors is great, but they’re not “set it and forget it” gadgets. Test them monthly, replace batteries twice a year, and replace the whole unit every 8–10 years. And yes, that chirping sound at 2 a.m. is annoying—but it’s also a sign your detector is trying to save your life.

The Bottom Line

Detectors aren’t glamorous, but they’re the cheapest insurance policy you’ll ever buy. If you’re not sure whether you’ve got enough of them—or if the ones you have are older than your favorite flannel shirt—Staghorn Contracting can inspect, replace, and install them so you sleep safe every night.

Pro tip: If you have to think hard about where your detectors are, you probably don’t have enough. Call us before your “early warning system” is just the smell of burnt toast drifting up the stairs.