Smoke Alarms

Choosing your alarm!

• Make sure the smoke alarm has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• Alarms that run on household current (even if they include battery backup) require installation by a qualified electrician.
• Alarms that run on just batteries can be installed by anyone.
• Smoke Alarms that include a recordable voice announcement in addition to the usual alarm sound may be helpful in waking children through the use of a familiar voice.
• Smoke alarms that also use strobe lights are available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.  Vibration equipment (to shake the bed and wake the person) can be added to these alarms.
  

Nuisance Alarms.

• If cooking fumes or steam sets off nuisance alarms, replace the alarm with an alarm that has a "hush" button, which will temporarily reduce the alarms sensitivity for a short period of time.
• Use a photoelectric alarm or ionization alarm with a hush button if the alarm is to be placed within 20 feet of a cooking appliance.
• An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires, an a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires.  Both types of detection alarms or a combination alarm should be installed in the home.

Maintaining your alarm.

• Always save and follow the alarm manufacturers instructions for testing and maintenance.
• Test alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
• Make sure all smoke alarms are less than ten years old.
• Smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries are designed to work for ten years.  If the alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the entire alarm.
• For smoke alarms with any other type of battery, replace batteries at least once a year.  If the alarm chirps replace battery right away.