What key factor can contribute to reducing the risk of false alarms?

Regular checks and maintenance of smoke detectors is essential in ensuring that they function correctly when needed. Smoke detectors can be prone to malfunction due to dust, low batteries, or outdated technology. By routinely inspecting and maintaining these devices, you can ensure that they accurately detect smoke or fire, significantly reducing the chances of false alarms. A properly maintained smoke detector will perform its intended role effectively, leading to reduced unnecessary responses from emergency services and minimizing disruption to the public. This proactive approach helps maintain public trust in fire safety systems and can ultimately enhance overall safety.

Other options, while they may have some relevance to safety, do not address the critical need for the reliability of smoke detection systems in reducing false alarms as effectively as regular maintenance does.