Do you know how often you’re supposed to replace the smoke alarms in your home? A study conducted by the National Fire Protection Association in late 2016 found that, while about half of all Americans have three or more smoke alarms in their home at the moment, about 20 percent of them have smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old. Additionally, another 20 percent aren’t sure how old the smoke alarms in their homes are, which means they could be on the older side. Amazingly, 90 percent of people revealed that they don’t know how often smoke alarms should be replaced!
None of this is good because, according to the same agency that conducted the study, smoke alarms should only be used for 10 years before they are replaced. If homeowners use them for any longer than that, there’s a good chance that they might not be fully operational, and in the event of a fire, they might not notify homeowners about it. Therefore, homeowners need to get into the habit of both checking to see how old their smoke alarms are and replacing them as necessary.
Make a Note When You Replace Smoke Alarms
There is a very simple way to do this. When you buy a new smoke alarm, make a note of it. You can even put a piece of tape on the smoke alarm with the date right on it. This will help you to remember when it’s time to replace your smoke alarm. Moreover, if you happen to move out before the 10 years are up, it will let the next person who lives in your home know how old the alarm is. By creating this awareness, you can prevent a smoke alarm from malfunctioning during a fire.
If you are in the market for a new smoke alarm, Life Safety Consultants can help you get your hands on one. We can also give you more information on smoke alarms as a whole and show you other fire alarm systems that might work well in your home. Call us at 888-557-0558 today for all of your smoke alarm needs.
