How to Test and Maintain Your Home Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors save lives, by alerting when smoke or fire are present. However, being unaware of a faulty detector could be deadly. Here are a few steps you should take to keep your family and home protected.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 9V Battery if needed
• Ladder
• Ear plugs

1. 
    
   Device shown with power light on

   Locate the detector and the button labeled test and depress for a few seconds. You should hear a loud sound from the unit.

2. Once you have tested the unit satisfactorily, verify if battery or AC power operation both. Turn the unit counterclockwise to remove from the base of the wall or ceiling.

3. 
    
   Typical detector wiring

   If the unit has a battery compartment, remove and replace it twice annually using the same type battery. If there are wires attached to the back this means the unit also has AC power and a power indicator is on. Either way the unit is fine and in working condition.

4. Refer to the manufacturers instructions for more about the particular unit. There are many types and brands to fit the specific needs of your home.

Tips & Warnings

• When replacing the detector, do some research to find a compatible unit.
• Check detector weekly.
• Keep extra betteries on hand for replacement.
• Detectors can be purchased from a hardware store.
• Failure to maintain the detectors could have catastrophic results.

[tessieann]

on 10/27/2009 time to do ours! 5*

[Panda229]

on 7/10/2009 Good advice! 5 *

[ginamichellesat]

on 6/20/2009 Thanks!! Great article and reminded me I have 2 put one more up!

[mashell3752]

on 6/17/2009 great article

[iamlost]

on 6/14/2009 i think i need to do this...my smoke detector went off last night for no reason