Smoke alarm maintenance

Summary

Only working smoke alarms save lives.
Test smoke alarms every month.
Dust and clean smoke alarms every year.
Replace 9volt smoke alarm batteries every year.
Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years.

Clean and test smoke alarms

Smoke alarms are designed to give you enough time to escape a fire. But smoke alarms can't help you if they're not working.

Every month: test smoke alarms

A calendar with every month circled and a finger pressing a button on a smoke alarm. — Test your smoke alarms every month by pressing the button on the alarm and waiting for it to beep.

How to test smoke alarms

Push the test button on an alarm with your finger or a broom handle.

If it beeps, it is working.

If it doesn't beep, you need to replace the battery or get a new smoke alarm.

TIP: Try to combine testing your smoke alarm with another task you do monthly, like worming your pet. You're more likely to do it each month.

Every year: clean smoke alarms

A calendar with one month circled, April, and a someone using a feather duster to clean a smoke alarm that's on the ceiling. — Set a reminder in your calendar to clean your smoke alarm every year.

Particles, dust and cobwebs can build up and stop smoke alarms working properly.

How to clean smoke alarms

Clean the outside of the alarm with a vacuum cleaner or dust it at least once a year. You can use a duster or vacuum cleaner brush.

Combine cleaning your smoke alarms with other annual chores, like cleaning your bathroom exhaust fans, so you don't forget.

Every year: replace 9-volt batteries

A calendar with one month marked, April, and a new 9V battery ready to put into the back of a smoke alarm. — Set a reminder in your calendar to replace your 9V battery every year.

If your smoke alarm has a 9-volt battery, it needs to be changed every year. Put a reminder in your calendar and make sure you don't forget.

Don't want to change smoke alarm batteries every year? Upgrade your smoke alarms to those with a 10 year (long life) battery.

Every 10 years: replace smoke alarms

New smoke alarm in its packaging, next to an old smoke alarm with the text 10 years. — Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.

Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.

This is because most smoke alarm warranties expire after 10 years. If a smoke alarm doesn't work properly 10 years after it was manufactured, the company who made it can't be held responsible.

Also, smoke alarms are like other appliances—they don't work as well over time, and need replacing.

Hard-wired smoke alarms must be replaced by a licensed electrician.

Put a reminder in your calendar to replace your smoke alarms so you don't forget.