Keeping Your Home’s Smoke Detectors Operational

7/2/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms are an extremely important component of fire safety. Fires in homes with smoke alarms are less likely to be fatal, as having an early alert to danger can help everyone escape the home safely and effectively.

In addition to installing your smoke alarms on every floor of the home, in every bedroom and in areas that are highly susceptible to fires, it is important that you perform regular maintenance on them to make sure they remain effective and are replaced when they reach the end of their working life.

Important Components of Smoke Alarm Maintenance

• Check smoke alarms every 30 days. It is recommended to test your smoke alarms at least once a month to make sure they are operational. Alarms should be equipped with a test button you can press and hold to make sure the alarm sounds.
• Know when to replace the batteries. Smoke alarms used to be  designed to have the batteries replaced annually, but many alarms are now made with long-life batteries that do not require replacement for the lifetime of the unit. Be sure you know which type you have and set a reminder to replace your batteries when the manufacturer recommends it.
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years. Regardless of the model, smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years at a minimum. Smoke alarms that are older than 10 years old have a 30% rate of failure, so do not let yours age past their effective lifespan. It is important to note that some smoke alarm models are designed for three- and five-year use, so knowing the details of yours when you install it is important.
• Vacuum your alarm yearly. Dust can collect in the vents of smoke alarms and make them less sensitive to smoke and high heat. 

If you have experienced fire damage to your home, we are here to help you. You call us at (732) 248-9555 anytime to get a quick response from our restoration experts.