Are Your Smoke Alarms Up to Date? Here’s How to Check

The smoke alarms in your home are critical pieces of safety equipment, helping to give you and your family early warning if a fire should break out. But they’re only effective if they’re fully functional, which means that they need to be checked and maintained regularly.

Unfortunately, despite their life-saving potential, smoke alarms are often ignored until they start chirping low-battery warnings. Or worse still, they fail to activate during an emergency.

If you’re not sure when your alarms were last replaced, it might be time to look into some quick smoke alarm checks. Let’s run through a few of the main ways you can check that your smoke detectors are up to date and working properly.

1. Know the Lifespan of Your Smoke Alarm

Smoke alarms don’t last forever. Most standard smoke detectors need to be replaced after 10 years.

After this time, even if the alarm seems to be working normally, its sensors may have degraded. This makes them less effective, so it really isn’t worth the risk of keeping them – it’s much better to install a replacement.

To check this, simply look for the manufacture date printed on the back or side of the unit.  If it’s more than 10 years old, it’s time to replace it – no exceptions.

2. Test Your Alarms Monthly

A simple monthly test can verify that your smoke alarm is working. Most models have a test button. When you press it, the alarm should emit a loud, piercing sound.

If it doesn’t:

• Try replacing the battery (if your unit uses replaceable ones)
• If the alarm still doesn’t work after a new battery, it needs to be replaced.
• For hardwired systems, check the circuit breaker or, better still, consult a professional.

You might want to set a recurring reminder on your phone or calendar, so you remember to test every month.

3. Change The Batteries Annually (Unless It’s a 10-Year Sealed Unit)

Traditional battery-operated smoke alarms require a battery change at least once a year. However, many modern smoke alarms now come with a sealed 10-year lithium battery. These don’t require battery replacements, but the entire unit must be replaced after 10 years.

Tip: if you’re unsure which type you have, open the unit and inspect the battery compartment. Sealed units are often labeled clearly.

4. Ensure Proper Placement of Your Smoke Alarms

An up-to-date alarm is only effective if it’s installed in the right location. The latest fire safety guidelines recommend:

• At least one smoke alarm on every level of the home
• One in each bedroom
• One outside each sleeping area (for example, in hallways and on landings).

5. Clean Your Smoke Alarms

Dust, debris, and even cobwebs can interfere with your smoke alarm’s sensors. So once every few months, you should give your alarms a gentle clean. You can wipe the casing with a dry cloth or gently vacuum the exterior with a soft brush attachment.

You should avoid using cleaning sprays or chemicals, though. Not only are these unnecessary, but they can damage the alarm’s sensors.

6. Consider Upgrading to Smart Alarms

If your smoke alarms are nearing the end of their lifespan, now might be the perfect time to upgrade.

Smart smoke detectors offer mobile alerts (handy if the alarm goes off while you’re on holiday) along with battery level notifications. Some models can also be integrated with security or other smart home systems.

7. Combine Smoke Alarms with Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Another option for upgrading your smoke alarms is to buy a dual-function alarm. These include both smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detection. This can be more convenient, offering broader protection while reducing the number of devices you need in your home.

If your current setup doesn’t include CO detection of any kind, especially near bedrooms or fuel-burning appliances, it’s definitely time for an update.