Remember that most areas of the US set their clocks back one hour this weekend (officially I believe at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning). Spring forward and fall back.
The twice a year time change is also a great time to change out your smoke alarm batteries, and if needed, your smoke alarms.
Most smoke alarms are only recommended to be used for not more than 10 years. After that, they become clogged with dust and the sensors fail.
If you are unable to change your own out, call your local American Red Cross or fire department. Many will provide and install new ones at no charge. Even if they don't provide them, if you purchase them they will send someone over to help you install them at no charge.
Smoke alarms can be purchased for as little as $4.50 at home stores. Saving the life of your family is worth much more than that.
Do not install alarms in areas where they are easily tripped, such as over the fireplace or kitchen stove. When installed there, people tend to disconnect them for sounding off falsely and you have then defeated their purpose.
Install them in the center of the room, away from ceiling fans. Ideally one should be in each bedroom, living and dining rooms, basement rooms and hallways. If you can, also install in the kitchen away from stoves or grease sources (like the fry daddy on the counter).
Source: I am a firefighter and help with public education programs
By mom-from-missouri from NW Missouri
This page contains the following solutions.
Brush out and clean smoke detectors each season to prevent false activation. I had to call our fire dept. during night hours because our detector activated and we could not find a reason, nor could we turn it off.
While you're dusting, make sure you consider your smoke alarm(s). Dust in or around your smoke alarm can cause it to malfunction when you need it the most.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have a problem with one of my smoke alarms and I don't know how to fix it.
My smoke alarm is completely dead (red and green lights are completely not on, it is not making any sound). All my other alarms are functioning well. Is it a battery fault or something more serious?
Smoke alarms have a life. It probably needs to be replaced, if a battery change is not effective.
How old is your smoke alarm? A smoke alarms lifespan is generally 10 years. If it's outdated, I would recommend changing the entire unit for safety precautions.
Try replacing the battery and if that does not work then it looks like you need to replace it.
Some cities/counties give free smoke alarms so Google free smoke alarms with your zip code and see you live in one of those counties.
Are they hardwired together? You may need an electrician to check it out if that is the case. If they are single working, toss it and buy a new one. Google the company and find out their life span. I think most are 8-10 years. If it is newer than that perhaps they will replace it free of charge. Safety first!!
My smoke alarm is chirping at present. I have tried to remove the outer case to replace the battery, but it is impossible, seems to be stuck. It is a smoke alarm which was installed in the house when built. Any advise?
By Linda Halpin
Getting the lid off can be a pain. There's usually a little tab that's supposed to give to pressure. Just keep trying; my son finally got ours off after I was sure it wouldn't.
Removing smoke detector covers can be difficult. Usually a tab has to be depressed. Try usinf a small flat blade screwdriver. Replace the battery with an ALKALINE battery.
There is a door in the side that when depressed opens. The whole cover does not come off. When you get the door open (not easy), slide out the old battery and insert a fresh alkaline one, close door and test it. Mine are sensitive and don't work with all batteries.Some are fresh and still chirp because they aren't compatible with my brand smoke detector. Get on a ladder so you are eye level with the detector to see the door that needs to be opened. Jill
I would get the brand name off the cover and google it...there is usually an owner's manual on line that will tell you how to get the cover off without breaking it! Or phone the manufacturer and ask. There are so many different ways these covers come off!
My smoke alarm chirps maybe 1-2 times per week. I figure it needs a new battery, but can't figure out how to open it. I looks like a slide out tray, but won't slide and beeps when I try.
I think you have to twist the cover off like a jar lid.
What brand is it?
This is a how to for a Kidde:
www.youtube.com/
Most brands have YouTube for how to change the batteries.
What did we do before YouTube? :)
The LED light on my smoke alarm does not flash, yet the test button sounds when pressed. A new battery was installed this past April. Is it time for a new alarm?
It might be time for a new one, or if the little LED light could be replaced, that might fix your problem.
I would write the company. You have not had this product a year, and they should send you a new one.
Where would I find my smoke alarm battery? I need to change it because its beeping every 30 seconds. How do I change it?
By Phil m
It's the only 9 volt battery in the back. Good luck.
Batteries are meant to be changed out every 6 months. Fire code suggestion. Take alarm off the wall, turn it around, there it is. Even if you test it and it is good, replace. Your life is not worth the $3 battery.
It'll be the first time I test the smoke alarms and as I have 3 (one on each floor ) all of which would go off when I test one, I wanted to know how I turn them off. (I've lost the booklet.) Do I have to run upstairs and turn each one off individually?
By CMD
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
Daylight savings time is a good time to change your batteries in your smoke alarms. Most safety companies and fire departments recommend the batteries be changed every 6 months,
