Smoke Alarm Maintenance

12/27/2019 (Permalink)

Someone is testing their smoke alarm.

Smoke alarms are a fairly low-maintenance household device. However, in order to ensure they are in good working order, there are a few steps that you should perform.

• Make sure you read the manufacturer’s instructions to learn about any special maintenance required for your specific alarm model.
• It is recommended that you test the smoke alarm at least once a month. Normally, this is done by pressing the test button on the center of the device.
• Make sure everyone is familiar with the sound of the alarms, and knows what to do if they hear the alarm.
• The batteries in the smoke alarms should typically be replaced twice a year. A good habit is to change the batteries at the beginning and the end of Daylight Savings Time. If one of your alarms starts to occasionally “chirp”, it means the battery is low and you need to replace it immediately.

Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for your smoke alarms, and never become complacent in their upkeep. With a little periodic maintenance, smoke alarms can save lives.