8 Safety Tips on Smoke Detector

To safeguard against loss of life in a fire, it's important to properly install, and maintain your smoke detector. Remember these 8 tips:

1. Install smoke detector on every level of your home, and inside each sleeping area.

2. Replace smoke detector batteries once a year at the first indication of a failing battery. Smoke detectors emit chirping noise to indicate a week battery.

3. Test smoke detectors monthly. Also, gently vacuum the outside of the cover regularly so smoke can reach the unit.

4. Be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions on proper installation and maintenance of the detector.

5. Replace smoke detectors every 10 years.

6. For extended protection, look for the first alert 10 year lithium powered smoke detector. It operates for 10 years without a battery change.

7. Battery operated smoke detectors are easy to install. They also have an advantage of operating during power outages.

8. In some areas building codes require hardwired detectors. Hardwired detectors do not need new batteries, nor do they risk having batteries borrowed for another use. They can be interconnected so that the alarm sounds on the floor triggers an alarm on all floors, models of battery back ups to provide protecting during power outages are recommended.