How to Troubleshoot a Smoke Detector

Installing smoke alarms in a house can save lives by alerting the occupants when smoke is in the house. Smoke is a killer. When fire breaks out, death often is caused not through fire, but through smoke inhalation. Smoke detectors should be installed in every bedroom and on each floor of your house to keep your family safe.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fresh batteries Smoke detector

1. 
    
   Replacing the Battery

   Replace the old battery with a fresh battery. Most smoke detectors require 9-volt batteries. Ensure that the battery is replaced regularly; it's a small price to pay to keep your family safe. Make certain that the positive and negative connections on the battery match up with the smoke detector's connectors. Test the fresh battery by holding down the button until the smoke detector's alarm sounds.

2. 
    
   Check the Battery Wires

   Check the battery connector wires for cracks or breaks. This may be the reason your smoke detector doesn't work. If your smoke alarm is hard-wired to your home's power supply, you may want to flip the breaker that corresponds with your smoke alarm to see if that is the cause of the problem.

3. Make sure that the smoke detector hasn't been dropped by any members of your family. Electronics are sensitive and delicate and should be handled with care.

4. Remove any dust or lint that may have accumulated on the smoke detector. Use canned air, available from the electronic department of your favorite store, to ensure connectors are dirt free.

5. Explore all possibilities stated in the previous steps. If all remedies fail, buy a new smoke detector. An average smoke detector is approximately $6 to $8 dollars and well worth the money.

Tips & Warnings

• Test your smoke detector weekly.
• Replace the batteries regularly.

Resources

• Kidde Smoke Detectors
• Smoke Detector Prices
• High-End Smoke Detectors