How to Maintain Any Smoke Dector

Smoke detector maintenance is often something that gets placed in the back burner after the initial installation of the device.

Most people don't maintain their smoke detectors just for the fact that they don't know how to.

This article will go through a simple step by step analysis of how to go about maintaining your smoke detector in a fast and easy manner.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Most people maintain their smoke detectors by just replacing the 9 volt battery. Though that is the first step there are other precautionary methods that you can take make sure that your smoke detector is working at it's optimum performance.

2. Generally your smoke detector only needs 5 min of your attention every month and most smoke detectors need to be replace every 10 years.
   
   Once a month you should vacuum out your smoke detector so that the smoke sensor does not get blocked with dust hindering its performance. In addition doing a battery check by simply pushing the battery test button will make sure that not only will the device be clean but functional as well.
   
   On my smoke detectors I always use a piece of tape and write the date of the last time I maintained the device similar to the sticker you get with every oil change for your car.

3. Testing your smoke detector is even easier all you have to do is light a match and blow the smoke into the smoke detector vent and allow the smoke detector to do it's thing.

4. Remember that smoke detectors are low maintenance and not no maintenance and though they vigilantly watch over your home for possible fire issues they don't work forever and need some tender love and care every once in a while.
   
   So do the work and spend 5 min every every month to maintain your smoke detector the favor will be returned in the event of an emergency.

Resources

• eHow Home and Garden Topic Guide
• Maintaining smoke detectors detailed

[Upon-Request]

on 7/5/2009 Good tip to take extra steps to maintain your smoke detector.