Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are crucial for the safety of your home and family. Regular testing, battery replacement, and cleaning will ensure they remain in working order and continue to provide the protection you need.
Safety Tips:
- Never remove the smoke or carbon monoxide detectors.
- Replace batteries twice per year to ensure they are fresh. A good rule of thumb is to change them when adjusting clocks for daylight savings time.
- Some units come with a built-in lithium battery that lasts the life of the unit and does not require replacement.
- The manufacturer recommends replacing detectors every 10 years.
How to Test Detectors and Change Batteries:
- Testing: Press the test button once to check the unit. It will chirp and/or begin speaking to you, along with the other hard-wired detectors in the house.
- Turning Off: Press and hold the test button to turn off the unit if it goes off accidentally (e.g., during cooking).
- Battery Replacement:
- For smoke detectors, you’ll need a 9-volt battery.
- For smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, you’ll need two AA batteries.
- To access the batteries, slide the panel open, replace the batteries, and then slide the panel back to secure them.
Maintenance & Cleaning:
- Frequency: Once a month, remove the unit from the mounting bracket and vacuum the alarm cover and vents using a soft brush attachment. Reinstall the unit immediately after cleaning and test it using the test/reset button.
- Avoid:
- Do not spray any detergents or solvents into the unit.
- Do not paint the unit.