Tips for Smoke Detector Safety

Tips for Smoke Detector Safety

Keeping your home safe from a fire should be at the top of homeowner priorities, but so often, smoke detector safety falls to the back burner. We take the batteries out to change them and then forget to replace them. Maybe you’ve got a super sensitive alarm that goes off every time it senses steam from the shower, so you pulled it out of the ceiling in frustration and haven’t put it back yet.

No matter what the reason, if you have a smoke detector that isn’t in working order, you are not alone. However, it’s important to get them up and running as soon as possible, because there’s no doubt about it, smoke detectors are there to identify a lurking danger, avoid a potential mishap and save lives. Follow these tips to up your smoke detector game, and keep yourself and your family safe from potential disaster.

Upgrade Your Smoke Detectors

Did you know you can purchase smoke detectors that have a sealed battery with 10 years of life? You won’t have to worry about changing the alarm for so long, that it’s possible you’ll move before you have to buy a new one. When that chirp finally goes off to change the battery, you’ll be looking around wondering what that noise could possibly be.

Taking the time to upgrade each of your smoke detectors to a newer model with a guaranteed battery is a fantastic idea. Not only will you be keeping your home protected from a devastating fire, but you won’t run the risk of needing to change the batteries but never actually doing it.

Change the Batteries in Your Smoke Detectors

If you don’t plan on upgrading any time soon, that’s perfectly fine, but set an alarm on your phone so you know when it’s time to change the batteries. Try not to let your smoke detectors chirp with a warning that they’re starting to die.

Change the batteries in each smoke detector in your home every six months. Remember to frequently push the test button to make sure they’re working as well! Also, change the batteries in each detector at one time, so they’re all on the same schedule.

Keep Your Smoke Detectors Clean

Keep your smoke detectors clean and dust free. Make sure that there isn’t anything deterring them from going off, such as a disconnected wire or a battery that isn’t pushed in. They must be kept clear and connected in order to do their job properly and effectively.

Make it part of your regular cleaning routine to check on those smoke detectors, keeping them in tip top shape. When you let the maintenance of the smoke detectors in your home fall to the wayside, you’re putting your family at serious risk.

Of course you manage your appliances and make sure your home is free of fire hazards, but accidents happen, especially around the holidays. There is no harm in staying on top of smoke detector safety. If anything, you’ll have the peace of mind to sleep well at night!

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