Smoke Detectors

7/28/2022 (Permalink)

Whether you’re at home, a hotel, or on a cruise ship, smoke detectors are important to you and your loved ones. They give residents peace of mind, and it helps get people out safely in the event of a fire or smoke emergency.

 If they aren’t properly maintained, they can become a nuisance, beeping when the batteries are low. The constant beeping can drive you and others crazy. And they become unreliable in this low-power state.

Here are some quick tips to help keep your smoke detectors in good working order, and your family protected:

• At least one smoke detector should be installed on every level of your home, but it’s best to have one in each bedroom.
• Change the batteries once a year. Changing your batteries in the spring when you do your spring cleaning or on New Year’s Day is easy to remember.
  • If you replaced the batteries (and you're sure the batteries are fresh) and your alarm is receiving power but it still won't stop chirping, the detector probably needs to be reset. Disconnect it from the ceiling, remove the battery, and press and hold the test button for 15-20 seconds. The unit should beep several times, and stop. Put the battery back in and reconnect the detector to your ceiling or wall.
• Test your smoke detectors once a month.
  • If the alarm doesn't sound when you press the test button, try pressing and holding for 10-20 seconds. If it still doesn't work, the battery could be loose, or your AC or power may not be on (check that the red or green light is continuously lit). 
• Make note of your smoke detector install and/or expiration date.
  • Alarms don't last forever: the average lifespan of a smoke detector is 10 years. If you aren't sure when it was installed, replace it immediately.  

If you end up with smoke damage in your home, SERVPRO of Texarkana is always here to help.