Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries
Every year on January the 20th
The smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home are there to keep you and your family safe. Under no circumstance should you disable them. Regularly testing and replacing the batteries in these devices can be the different between life and death.
Things You'll Need
- Batteries. Most smoke and carbon monoxide detectors use AA or 9V batteries.
- A ladder.
Time Involved
10-15 minutes
What You Need to Do
- Identify the location of all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Visually inspect to determine if the battery is accessible from the visible parts of the alarm, or if you will need to detach the unit from the ceiling to access the battery compartment. If it is readily accessible, you will be able to visually see some type of compartment door on the face or side of the alarm.
- If necessary, turn the alarm in a counter clockwise rotation to remove from the ceiling.
- Open the battery compartment.
- Replace the batteries.
- Close the battery compartment.
- If necessary, reattach the alarm to the ceiling with an opposite motion from what was used to remove it.
- Test the alarm by holding down the TEST button until it starts beeping (warning, this will be loud).
- To stop the test, press and hold the TEST button again until it stops.
- Mark this task complete.
It is recommended to replace the batteries at least once a year.
If your alarm is "chirping" then it is indicating a battery issue. If you have followed these steps and it continues to chirp, the alarm may need to be reset. Press and hold the TEST button for at least 30 seconds. If the chirping still continues, refer to the instructions for your brand and model of alarm.