Test your smoke alarms at least once a month, following the
manufacturer's instructions.
Replace the batteries in your smoke alarm once a year, or as soon
as the alarm "chirps," warning that the battery is low.
HINT: Schedule
battery replacements for the same day you change your clock
from daylight to standard time in the fall
Never "borrow" a battery from a smoke alarm. Smoke alarms can't
warn you of fire if their batteries are missing or have been disconnected.
Do not disable smoke alarms even temporarily – you
may forget to replace the battery. If your smoke alarm is sounding
"nuisance alarms," it may need dusting or vacuuming. If that does
not work, try relocating it further away from kitchens and
bathrooms, where cooking fumes and steam can cause the alarm to
sound.
Regularly vacuuming or dusting your smoke alarms following
manufacturer's instructions can help keep it working properly.
Smoke alarms do not last forever. Replace your smoke alarms once
every 10 years.
If you have a monitored fire detection system, follow the
monitoring company’s recommendations for testing the system on a regular basis.
Make sure that everyone in your home can identify and awaken to the
sound of the alarm.
Plan regular fire drills (four times a year) to ensure that
everyone knows exactly what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Hold a drill at
night to make sure that sleeping family members awaken at the sound of the
alarm.
If you are building a new home or remodeling your
existing home, consider installing an automatic home fire sprinkler
system. Sprinklers and smoke alarms together cut your risk of dying
in a home fire 82 percent relative to having neither – a savings of
thousands of lives a year.
Families living within the Parker city limits that cannot afford a
smoke detector can call the Parker Fire Department at (972) 422-2410 to request
a free smoke detector.
