pressing the test button on your smoke alarm does not mean it will detect a fire!
Ensure your Smoke Alarm is Really Going to Detect a Fire!
A smoke alarm is a great safety feature to have in your home, assuming of course that it actually works. Smoke alarms are like any electronic device in that they are prone to failure. In order to keep your family safe, you need to test smoke alarm regularly, ensuring the battery and the smoke detection work.
Testing Your Smoke Alarm
Here is how to do so:
- Forget about the test button – The test button is nothing more than a way of confirming that the batteries have juice to sound the alarm. It will not let you know if the smoke sensor is fully functioning. Jump ahead to step 4 for better alternatives to the test button.
- Make everyone in the home aware of the upcoming test – Besides testing the smoke alarm, you can also train your family how to react of there really was a fire in the home. One thing to keep in mind is that you will need to contact your security company if the smoke detector is linked to your home security system. The fire department do not take false arms lightly.
- Place family members in different parts of the home – A good smoke detector should be loud enough to reach even the most distant parts of the family home. When you test smoke detector, it should be loud enough to be heard everywhere, which is especially important in the bedrooms where people may be asleep when it goes off.
the best way to test your smoke alarm detects smoke
Invest in a smoke detector test aerosol – While you might be tempted to simply burn dinner to test the smoke detector, a safer, more effective method involves using a can of smoke detector test aerosol. A few dollars is all it takes, and one can is able to provide years of tests for your smoke detector. They are easy to use, too, as all that is required is 5-10 seconds of spraying in the direction of the detector. If the alarm goes off, all is well with your system, but if not, it will be time to look at getting a replacement smoke detector. Before you make the change, try new batteries first before repeating the test. If you continue to receive a negative response, it is definitely time for a new smoke detector.
- Turning off after testing – When using the aerosol method, it’s a good idea to have a small hand-held vacuum at the ready. This can be used to suck up the material sprayed from the aerosol can, which in turn will shut the alarm off quickly. Newer models sometimes come with a silence button that will shut off the alarm until the “smoke” has cleared. These are both better alternatives that allowing the alarm to wail until the aerosol material is gone.
- Test regularly – Testing your smoke detector should not be considered a one and done type of deal. Get in the habit of doing a few times per year, or monthly of time permits. Make sure to also test the batteries each time, too.
Smoke Alarm Replacement
All smoke alarms regardless of them being battery, hard wired or hardwired with battery back up need to be replaced every 10 years! Dryer vent cleaner is specialized in changing and replacing old smoke alarms. Call us today for affordable smoke alarm replacement you can rely on