How to test and maintain smoke and CO alarms.
Smoke and CO alarms need a little upkeep to do their job, and the routine takes about two minutes a month. Done regularly, it also cuts down on the false alarms that make people want to disable them.
Test every month
Press and hold the test button on each alarm until it sounds. That confirms the horn and the power are working. Do this monthly, and on interconnected systems, confirm that pressing one sets off the others.
Keep them clean
Dust, cobwebs, and even small insects collect inside the sensor and cause false alarms. Every few months, gently vacuum the outside of each alarm with a brush attachment. A clean sensor is a calmer, more reliable sensor. Here is more on stopping false alarms.
What the test button does not tell you
Testing checks the horn and battery, not whether the sensor can still detect smoke. That is why the calendar still matters, and an old alarm should be replaced even if it tests fine. Here is how long alarms last.
Replace at 10 years
Beyond monthly testing and cleaning, the one non-negotiable is replacing each alarm 10 years after its manufacture date. You can read more in about how long smoke alarms last.
Rather not keep up with it yourself? Ask about our maintenance plans, where we test, clean, and track replacement dates for you.
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