As part of National Fire Prevention Week, here are some guidelines for testing smoke detectors.
Test your smoke alarms once a month, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Replace the batteries in your smoke alarm once a year, or as soon as the alarm “chirps” warning that the battery is low. Hint: schedule battery replacements for the same day you change your clocks from daylight savings time to standard time in the fall.
Never “borrow” a battery from a smoke alarm. Smoke alarms can’t warn you of fire if their batteries are missing or have been disconnected.
Don’t disable smoke alarms even temporarily. If your smoke alarm is sounding “nuisance alarms,” try relocating it farther from kitchens or bathrooms, where cooking fumes and steam can cause the alarm to sound.
Regularly vacuuming or dusting your smoke alarms, following the manufacturer’s instructions, can keep them working properly.
Smoke alarms don’t last forever. Replace yours once every 10 years. If you can’t remember how old the alarm is, then it’s probably time for a new one.
Consider installing smoke alarms with “long-life” (10-year) batteries.
Plan regular fire drills to ensure that everyone knows exactly what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Hold a drill at night so that sleeping family members will wake up to the alarm. It is important to know how kids will react since some children may not awaken to the alarm.
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As part of National Fire Prevention Week, here are some guidelines for testing smoke detectors.
Test your smoke alarms once a month, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Replace the batteries in your smoke alarm once a year, or as soon as the alarm “chirps” warning that the battery is low. Hint: schedule battery replacements for the same day you change your clocks from daylight savings time to standard time in the fall.
Never “borrow” a battery from a smoke alarm. Smoke alarms can’t warn you of fire if their batteries are missing or have been disconnected.
Don’t disable smoke alarms even temporarily. If your smoke alarm is sounding “nuisance alarms,” try relocating it farther from kitchens or bathrooms, where cooking fumes and steam can cause the alarm to sound.
Regularly vacuuming or dusting your smoke alarms, following the manufacturer’s instructions, can keep them working properly.
Smoke alarms don’t last forever. Replace yours once every 10 years. If you can’t remember how old the alarm is, then it’s probably time for a new one.
Consider installing smoke alarms with “long-life” (10-year) batteries.
Plan regular fire drills to ensure that everyone knows exactly what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Hold a drill at night so that sleeping family members will wake up to the alarm. It is important to know how kids will react since some children may not awaken to the alarm.