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It is important to test your smoke alarms every month to ensure they are working properly. Monthly testing also keeps the battery working properly.

Follow the instructions in your smoke alarms' manual if you want to know exactly how to test it.

There are two types of smoke alarms available: battery operated and wired. Most people know to test the first type, but this is also true of wired smoke detectors. Most wired smoke alarms have a battery backup that will operate if, for example, the power fails. This battery should also be tested and replaced if necessary to ensure that the unit works properly.

How to test most smoke detectors:

Make sure everyone in the house knows about the test.
Children may be frightened by the noise; make sure they stay at an appropriate distance.
Send someone to the room furthest away from the smoke alarm to check if the alarm is heard there as well. If not, add another smoke alarm.
Test the alarm according to the user's manual. Most smoke alarms have a test button that must be pressed for a few seconds. If the alarm sounds weak or muted, the batteries need replacing. Test doesn't work? Contact the manufacturer.
After replacing the batteries, you must carry out another test to check that they have been inserted correctly.

Clean your smoke/CO alarms every six months with your hoover to make sure the sensors are not clogged with dust and small particles. If your smoke detectors are dusty, they can malfunction. Be smart, stay safe, and take a few minutes to clean all your smoke alarms.

Over time, dust, animal hairs, cooking fumes and pollen (which build up in the smoke chambers of your smoke alarms) can reduce the sensitivity or cause false alarms more often. To keep your smoke alarms from sounding an alarm on time, it is necessary to clean them every 6 months. Read the user's manual carefully; in most cases you can clean them according to the instructions below.

How to clean your smoke alarms:

Remove the smoke detector from the ceiling.
Use a hoover to clean the air holes on the back of the smoke alarm. The openings on the front are for sound and do not need to be cleaned.
After cleaning, carry out a test to ensure that the smoke alarm is working properly again.

Most people know that it is necessary to replace the batteries, but not that you should also replace the smoke alarm. After 10 years, smoke detectors reach the end of their service life and must be replaced. This is despite any battery life. After 10 years, the smoke alarm becomes contaminated by dust (even if you clean it regularly), which causes false alarms and/or malfunctions. Protect your home and loved ones and replace your smoke detectors on time.

Smartreminder - Testing, cleaning and replacing smoke detectors

Maintain your smoke detectors; they save lives

Every month: Testing

Every 6 months: Cleaning

Every 10 years: Replace

How do you test a smoke detector?

How do you clean a smoke alarm?

Why should smoke detectors be replaced?

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