How to Change the Battery in Hard-Wired Smoke Alarms
Most fire-related fatalities occur in the wee hours of the morning when most people are asleep. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year 3,000 children and adults die from residential fires, mainly from smoke inhalation and toxic gases. Smoke alarms became commercially available in the early 1970s, and by 1991, 88 percent of homes in the United States contained at least one unit. Although you may have a hard-wired smoke alarm, it is still necessary to change your backup batteries once a year so that your smoke alarm will work during a power outage. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Remove the cover from your smoke alarm by turning it slowly to the left to unscrew. Pull the cover outward to disengage it once it is loosened.
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2
Locate the battery, which is connected to a terminal coupling inside of a small compartment in the unit. It may pull right out or be held in place with a small clip.
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3
Slide the battery out of its compartment and remove it from the terminal coupling by holding the battery in one hand and the coupling in another. Pull firmly to disengage, peeling the terminal coupling from the top of the battery head.
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4
Load a fresh battery onto the terminal, lining it up so the small and large portions of the battery match those on the coupling. Snap onto place and return the battery to the compartment, re-securing it with a clip, if needed.
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5
Affix the cover by lining up the holes in the detector interior with the coordinating tabs in the lid of the unit. Push in and turn the smoke alarm to tighten into place. Push the test button to ensure that the unit is working properly.
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Tips & Warnings
Replace batteries immediately if your smoke alarm gives a warning signal, which is a small chirping noise. Unlike battery-operated detectors, this annoying noise won't quit until you've replaced the batteries.
Some smoke detectors have a small tab on the outside to pull on that will pop the cover off, while others are not designed to completely disengage from the unit. Use caution when removing.
Smoke alarms have a lifespan of eight to years and should be replaced with new units once this time period expires.
