Check your smoke detector it can really save your life!
Tweet11 years ago
Smoke detectors only work when they have power to them. A great habit is change the battery every time you change your clocks for DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME (so twice a year) then its easy to remember. Most come off the ceiling by turning anti-clockwise then turn clockwise to lock back in place and they normally take 9 volt batteries.
– Monthly test It is also recommended that you press the test button on the detector Monthly and it should let out its high pitch tone, this indicates its working property.
– Intermittent beeping If your smoke alarm beeps every 1o mins or so then it likely has a low battery so get it changes asap.
– Mains powered alarms The most effective smoke alarm systems are powered by the mains electricity but they still have a battery in side. The battery is there so that if the electricity fails (for example in an electrical fire) the smoke detector is still working. Many mains powered alarms also interlink with others in the property so if one detects smoke they all alarm.
– Life expectancy Smoke alarms do have a life expectancy which varies by the manufacturer but it usually says how many years on the base of the unit. Many of them are around 5-10 years, when you install a new one it is a good idea to write on the base the year it was installed.
Lets face it, its not something we all wake up in the middle of the night thinking about but if the alarm wakes you in the night you will be pleased it did!
You can read more from the National Fire Protection Association about fire safety here.
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