Did
you know......
The National Fire
Protection Association says that while 13 of every 14
homes have at least one smoke detector, almost half of
home fires and three-fifths of fire deaths occur in the
share with no detectors. Also, there are now more homes
with smoke detectors that don't work than homes with no
detectors at all.
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Once a Year
Replace the
Battery. The average 9-volt battery needs to be
replaced after one year of 'service' in your
family's smoke detector. Multi-year batteries,
used in some newer smoke detectors, should be
maintained as per the manufacturer's
instructions.
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A smoke
detector will do its job - detect small amounts of smoke and
sound an alarm, if the proper maintenance is taken. Follow
the manufacturer instructions that came with your smoke
detector. This page lists some suggestions to assist you in
the care of your smoke detector.
Once a Week or Once a Month
Check the Battery. To find
out how to test your smoke detector, read the manufacturer's
instructions. Most smoke detectors have a button that your
press; if the smoke detector is working, the alarm will
beep. If you hear only a chirp or nothing at all, you need
to replace the battery.
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Dust Your
Smoke Detector
Dust
often collects in smoke detectors,
and it can cause the smoke detector
to give a false alarm. The easiest
way to remove this dust is to take
the top off of the smoke detector
and vacuum the inside, using the
drapery-cleaning attachment of a
vacuum cleaner.
Once Every Ten Years
Replace the
Whole Detector. Even with
good upkeep, most smoke detectors
have a life span of ten years.
Remove the smoke detector, follow
the manufacturer's directions for
disposing of the smoke detector, and
replace it with a brand new smoke
detector. Some newer smoke detectors
have their ten-year anniversary
imprinted on the cover; if you are
unsure of your smoke detector's age,
it is always better to err on the
side of safety. |
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