Smoke Detector Guide: Smoke Alarm Maintenance Checklist
Here’s how to maintain your smoke alarms and protect your home with Arlo.
Here’s how to maintain your smoke alarms and protect your home with Arlo.
Just how important are smoke alarms? According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), having working smoke alarms cuts the risk of dying in a home fire by half. Furthermore, 38% of home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms.
Clearly, smoke alarms are essential for home security. However, simply installing them isn’t enough. Both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms require regular maintenance to function properly. So, here’s our guide for smoke alarm installation and maintenance.
To maintain your smoke detectors properly, make sure they are installed correctly and in the right locations, test them monthly, clean them regularly, and replace the batteries annually. Following these tips will enhance your home’s safety and minimize nuisance alarms.
1. Ensure that your smoke alarms are correctly installed.
Install a smoke alarm in every room and every level of your home, including the basement. Place alarms high on walls or ceilings, away from windows, doors, or ducts. Never paint over smoke alarms, as this can interfere with their functionality. For added safety, consider using interconnected smoke alarms so that when one smoke alarm is triggered, they all sound.
2. Test your fire alarms every month.
Take a moment each month to test every smoke alarm in your home. Press the test button on each alarm for at least 5 seconds until you hear the alarm sound. If an alarm doesn’t activate, replace the battery or the alarm itself. Regularly testing your smoke alarms is a vital step in ensuring fire safety.
3. Clean the smoke alarms at least once every six months.
Dust buildup can block a smoke alarm’s sensors, causing false alarms or preventing it from functioning altogether. Prevent this by simply cleaning each alarm at least once every six months. You can use a vacuum, a soft brush, or a dry towel.
4. Replace the smoke alarms’ batteries every year.
Battery-operated smoke alarms should have their batteries replaced annually. Hardwired smoke detectors also depend on a battery backup during power failures, so be sure to replace these batteries too to prepare for power outages. 10-year sealed smoke detectors are designed to be replaced every 10 years and should be disposed of at that time.
Options like the Arlo Home Security System, paired with an Arlo Secure subscription, offer smoke alarm listening to alert emergency services when an alarm is triggered. When the sound of a smoke alarm is detected, the system sends a notification to your smartphone. Plus, with Arlo’s emergency response powered by RapidSOS, you’ll get a faster, more effective response during a fire or any other emergency.
This ensures that, if a fire happens, authorities can be contacted even if no one is home. Additionally, a smart alarm system like the Arlo Home Security System may help you save on home insurance.
6. Keep a detailed log of your smoke alarm maintenance.
It’s easy to lose track of smoke alarm maintenance, so we recommend keeping a detailed record of your tasks. It doesn’t need to be complicated—use the notes app on your smartphone to log when you last changed the batteries. While you’re at it, You can also set a reminder for when it’s time to replace them again.
For example, the Arlo Home Security System can detect up to eight different threats, including water leaks, frozen pipes, and temperature changes. When paired with the Arlo Secure subscription, it can even listen for smoke alarms.
With smart alarm listening, the Arlo Home Security System enhances your smoke detectors. Plus, with Fire Detection, AI-powered notifications alert you as soon as a flame is detected, allowing you to take immediate action.
With a Premium plan, you can dispatch firefighters to your home with One Tap Emergency Response, saving critical time.*
When paired with Arlo security cameras, floodlights, and video doorbells, Arlo provides a comprehensive security solution that ensures true peace of mind.
*Arlo’s video-based fire detection feature is a supplementary tool and should not replace standard fire detection systems such as smoke detectors, conventional alarms, or proper safety measures.
