Smoke detectors play a critical role in fire safety. Whether at home or for your business, you need to know that those smoke detectors are working at all times. Thankfully, it takes no time at all to ensure that they are working properly.
If you haven’t taken the time to test your smoke detectors, now is the time. With a few helpful tips, you can get the job done and have the peace of mind knowing that you are protected against a potential fire.
Test the Power
While you could save a lot of time by getting a smoke detector tester from RS, that may not be an option for everyone. Testing your smoke detectors at home is easy but it should start by checking the power. Many times, the simplest explanation for a malfunctioning smoke detector is a lack of power.
Most modern smoke detectors are powered by batteries, so changing them out is usually the right play. If you have a hardwired smoke detector, then you may need to call in an electrician to see what the problem is. Push the test button and if it doesn’t respond, then the smoke detector is not getting the necessary power.
Use Aerosol Spray
Another thing to test when checking your smoke detector is the sensor. In order to ensure that those are working properly, you will need to use an aerosol spray. They are very inexpensive and easy to find; you probably have quite a few in your home already that will fit the bill.
When you spray the aerosol, the smoke detector should go off if the sensor is not worn out. If you hear nothing, then the sensor may be worn out and needs to be replaced. If the alarm does go off, you can turn it off manually or hit the “silence” button to turn it off. Then take a small handheld vacuum to suck away your test material away from the smoke detector.
Use Matches
Let’s get one thing out of the way first. Matches, though small and seemingly harmless, can be all that it takes to start a blazing inferno. Having said that, one of the best ways to test out your smoke detectors is by using actual matches. It should take no more than a handful; two or three, at best.
Take a handful of matches and get on a step stool or ladder. Light the first match and place it roughly two feet from the detector. The alarm should go off immediately. If it hasn’t after two or three matches, check the power source. When the alarm goes off, silence it so that you can finish the test and clean everything up. Quick, simple, to the point, and it will guarantee that you know whether the smoke alarm works as it was meant to.
Test Monthly
The key to keeping your smoke detectors working is being vigilant about testing them. It is most ideal to check them after roughly a month, but bi-monthly is fine as well. It doesn’t take long to test them, so there is no excuse for failing to do so. Having a bad detector can wind up having a devastating impact in the end.
There are far too many simple and easy ways to test out your smoke alarm. Failing to do so is not an excuse, especially because it puts your home at risk. Don’t let your home fall victim to a fire that could have otherwise been snuffed out in the early stages. Act now and garner peace of mind after each test.