Though the smoke detectors in your home are likely not something that you think about often, they are important safeguards for your entire family. This is why it is crucial to know how long they last and the signs that they need to be replaced.
Our electricians at Frank Gay Services outline how long smoke detectors last as well as the signs that yours need to be replaced. Ready? Let’s go!
The Importance of Smoke Detectors
Having smoke detectors placed in various locations throughout your home allows for fast and effective smoke detection in case of a fire. The smoke detector’s shrill alarm will warn you day or night that there is a potential fire, allowing you to act fast to protect your family and home.
When placed in the right location, the smoke detector can also help firefighters locate the fire quickly, allowing them to better focus their efforts and possibly prevent extensive damage to your home.
While it can be easy to check smoke detector batteries and test them regularly, it is important to ensure that they are working properly. It could save your life.
How Long Do Smoke Detectors Last?
When a smoke detector is 10 years old, the National Fire Protection Association advises replacing them. Why? Since dust can build up within smoke detectors over time, the sensors can wear out. Due to the decreased sensitivity of older smoke detectors, you may have less time to escape a fire by the time the alarm sounds.
You should plan to replace your smoke detectors every 10 years.
Even if your smoke detectors haven’t reached 10 years old, if it chirps after you’ve replaced the battery or is yellowing, it’s time to replace them. Even if some smoke detectors in your house are functional, we advise replacing them all at once.
Need to replace your aged smoke detectors or have new ones hardwired in your home? Call on our electricians at Frank Gay Services at (407) 329-5145. We are happy to help!
Maintaining Your Smoke Detectors
- We advise homeowners to replace either the backup batteries in hardwired smoke alarms or the batteries in their smoke detectors at least once a year.
- Test your alarms monthly to ensure that they are working properly.
Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Smoke Detectors
Here are a couple of ways to know if your smoke detector is going bad and when you should take action.
You Hear a ‘Chirp, Chirp!’
If your smoke alarm is hardwired into your home’s electrical, it may chirp for a very long period, sometimes endlessly, before it stops working. If you hear this chirping sound you will want to take action ASAP because it means that the batteries in your smoke detector—or the smoke detector itself— are going bad and need to be replaced.
It is 10+ Years Old
The smoke detector’s age is a strong indication that it needs to be replaced. It’s easy; simply climb a ladder and inspect the alarm’s back. The manufactured date on the detector will let you know when it was made. It’s time to change that date if it was set ten or more years ago!
Make sure to check all the smoke detectors around your home, as some of your smoke detectors might have been installed at a different time.
It is Yellowing
There is no need to replace the batteries or check the manufacture date if your smoke detectors have turned yellow. Smoke detectors are made of plastic, which contains brominated flame retardants, or BFRs, which become yellow over time or when exposed to UV light.
If your smoke detector has turned yellow or yellowish brown, it is well past time for a replacement.
Professional Orlando Electricians
To protect your family and your home from house fires, it is important to ensure that all the smoke detectors in your home are in good working order. Our team at Frank Gay Services can inspect your smoke detectors and install new ones if yours are out of date and in need of replacement. Plus, if you have a hardwired smoke detector system, we can service and install those too!
Don’t wait to replace your smoke detectors. It could save your life. Call Frank Gay Services at (407) 329-5145 to schedule smoke detector installation or replacement today!
