How to Stop Smoke Alarms

Do a test once a month to make sure your alarm is functioning properly.

It is important for every household to have a properly functioning smoke alarm. Smoke alarms have the ability to save your family's life because they can provide you with an early detection against fire and smoke. The alert beep or chime that smoke alarms make can give you enough time to safely escape in the event of a fire. Make sure your smoke alarm is in good working order by regularly changing the batteries and by conducting monthly tests. Never remove the batteries when trying to silence a false alarm--you could forget to put them back in.

Instructions

1. Locate and hold down the "hush" button on your smoke alarm. Not all alarms have a hush button, and the button may not be labled "hush," so it's a good idea to find the button before you need it.

2. Open a window or door to let out some of the smoke, if your alarm has no hush button. The alarm should silence within minutes.

3. Use a towel to wave near the alarm. This will help to clear fumes, steam or smoke away from your smoke detector.

Tips & Warnings

• Sub out your old alarm for an ionization or photoelectric smoke alarm. These alarms work better in kitchens and near cooking appliances prone to false alarms.

References

• U.S. Fire Administration: Smoke Alarms
• National Fire Protection Association: Smoke Alarms
• National Fire Protection Association: Reports and Statistics
• National Fire Protection Association: Smoke Alarm Safety Tips

Resources

• National Fire Protection Association: Installation and Safety Tips