The Importance of Maintaining Your Smoke Detectors

We all know how important it is to have multiple smoke detectors in your home. Location is everything for these devices as well. They need to be strategically located so that they can appropriately sense smoke. They should also be hard-wired into your electrical system so they are working constantly, plus be backed up with batteries in case your power goes out. Outfitting your home with smoke detectors is only the first step though. You can’t just put them up and then forget about them. Maintenance is vital to ensuring the safety of your family and your home.

Follow a Maintenance Routine

You should regularly test your smoke detectors to ensure that the battery and the alarm is working. Refer to your manufacturer guide for testing procedure, but in general it’s recommended that you do this test monthly. In addition to ensuring your detectors work, this will familiarize your family or your home’s occupants with the sound it makes.

Additionally, whether your detectors are hard-wired and use batteries as a backup, or rely solely on batteries, those batteries need to be swapped out annually. There are multiple types and brands of smoke alarms on the market, so be sure to refer to your manufacturer’s guide for detailed instructions on how to change batteries.

Additional Maintenance Tips

• Use a duster or vacuum cleaner to remove dust particles that could affect smoke alarm performance.
• Be aware of your smoke detector beeping, as this is an indicator your batteries need replacing.
• Do not paint over your smoke detector as this could prevent it from sensing smoke.
• Be aware of the manufactured date, as smoke detectors have a maximum service life of 10 years.
• For hard-wired smoke detectors, contact a professional for additional maintenance tasks or if you’re unsure if your smoke detector is working properly.

Call Bell Plumbing and Heating today for smoke detector services in Denver, CO and surrounding areas.