Working smoke alarms are critical to the fire safety of your home. Not all smoke alarms are the same. Make sure yours has working batteries with the tips below:
- Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, it means the battery is low. Replace the entire smoke alarm.
- If your smoke alarm has any other type of battery, it will need a new battery at least once a year. When the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the battery.
When replacing a battery, follow the battery list on the back of the alarm and the manufacturer's instructions. The instructions are specific to the brand and model of the required battery. The smoke alarm may not work if you use a different battery.