How to Maintain Smoke Alarms
With their ability to increase your family’s chance of surviving a residential fire by an estimated 50-60%, smoke detectors are one of the most valuable fire safety tools on the market. Carbon monoxide detectors can reduce deaths from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning significantly as well, by providing early warning about the gas’ presence. It is frequently called “the silent killer,” due to its colorless, odorless form, which binds to hemoglobin, making it difficult to detect. The detector’s alerting capabilities provide critical time to take action or evacuate.
Like many household devices, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors require routine cleaning and maintenance to function properly. Follow these general and simple tips to keep your alarms clean, powered, and ready when you need them most. It is best practice to follow manufacturer care guidelines for your specific unit.
Smoke Alarm Maintenance Tips
- Clean twice a year. Vacuum dust and debris from detectors.
- Replace batteries annually. Use Daylight Saving Time as a reminder.
- Replace alarms every 10 years. Older units may fail without warning.
- Test monthly. Use the test button or candle smoke.
- Resolve false alarms. Relocate units away from kitchens and bathrooms.
Carbon Monozide Maintenance Tips
- Clean regularly. Clean and care per manufacturer guidelines.
- Replace batteries annually. Use Daylight Saving Time as a reminder.
- Be ready to replace detectors every 5-7 years. Though some units are designed to last up to 10 years, some may fail without warning sooner. If the unit fails, it will emit a chirping sound that indicates it has reached the end of its life.
- Test monthly. Use the test button to make sure sirens and sensors work in the unit.
- Resolve false alarms quickly. Know the difference between sounds an alarm can generate, with chirping every 30 to 60 seconds often meaning the battery is low or the detector is malfunctioning. A loud alarm (frequently four consecutive beeps) can signify a true CO emergency. While units can be triggered by chemical fumes or humidity (such as steam from a kitchen or bathroom), a consistently sounding alarm should be addressed right away, in any case. immediately evacuate your home and call 911 if it cannot be attributed to a false alarm, especially if you experience any symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, such as dizziness, nausea, or headaches. Your local fire department has the appropriate gear to handle a carbon monoxide emergency and will be dispatched to conduct an inspection of the premises, after a 911 call is placed.
Maintenance for commercial detection systems is not the same as it is for residential units. Commercial structures must abide by inspection, testing, and maintenance standards, set by organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Looking for more information on smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detector safety? Visit the U.S. Fire Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and NFPA for expert guidance, then explore our selection of fire safety products.