Smoke Detectors

Working smoke detectors save lives.  A fire grows at tremendous and devastating speed.  As a fire grows more and more flames, heat, toxic smoke and gases are produced.  You may have less than 1 minute to safely escape a fire.  A key to survival is having properly installed and working smoke detectors in your home.  Smoke detectors warn residents in the event of a fire.  Properly installed and functioning smoke detectors give you time to leave the building, before your escape routes are blocked by fire. 

Smoke detectors should be installed on every level of your home, including the basement.  Place smoke detectors outside of each sleeping area.  If you sleep with your bedroom door closed, you should place a detector inside each bedroom.  Follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions when installing detectors. 

General smoke detector maintenance:

Test your smoke detector at least monthly.  Most smoke detectors have a test button that can be pushed to see if the alarm is functioning properly.  If you cannot reach the test button, use the end of a broom handle to reach the test button. 

Change your smoke detector batteries at least twice annually (in the spring and in the fall).  To help you remember, “When you change your clocks, change your batteries” in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Most smoke detectors give off a chirp once a minute when the battery needs to be replaced.  If you hear this chirping noise from your smoke detector, change the battery and then test the unit.

Once a month vacuum the dust from your smoke detectors.

Replace your smoke detectors at least every 10 years.