How to Maintain and Choose Smoke Detectors

Which Smoke Detectors Should You Get?

First of all, smoke detectors are absolutely critical to get in your home and might be legally required, depending on your local or state government. If you don't have any installed, you'll want to get on that right away!

And even if you have some in your home, most companies recommend they be replaced every decade at most. So, if your smoke detectors are more than ten years old, you'll want to hunt for replacements.

As for which detector is the best smoke detector for you, some of that depends on your personal preferences and needs for your home. You may splurge for higher-end detectors that have more features, or you may decide to stick with the basics if you're on a budget.



It's wise to also consider getting a carbon monoxide detector, particularly if you have a furnace or attached garage. Fire isn't the only danger that you can protect yourself against!

Wired vs. Battery Smoke Detectors

Wired and battery-powered detectors both have their pros and cons, although some governments require people to use particular types. You can view your state's regulations to see what your requirements are, but it's a good idea to know what to choose once you know your options!

The primary benefit to wired detectors (meaning they're hooked up to your home's electricity) is that they don't have batteries that need replaced. Believe it or not, a lot of people just ignore the chirping of their smoke alarms or remove the batteries altogether! Having a hardwired detector removes this issue.

However, battery-powered smoke detectors are more versatile and can be placed around the house more easily. Battery detectors can be placed on shelves, walls, and ceilings with more ease than wired detectors. Additionally, in the rare case of a fire caused by wiring and electrical issues, the battery-powered detectors will continue working.



With this in mind, some companies are now offering combination battery and wired detectors, giving you the best of both worlds and ensuring you won't lose detector power in case of an emergency.

Installing Smoke Detectors

When you install smoke detectors in your home, there are a few key things you'll want to keep in mind.

First of all, you should install one on every level of your home. This includes basements/cellars and attics! You should also install smoke alarms in every sleeping space and in hallways outside sleeping spaces.

This will help you know as soon as possible when a fire springs up. You don't want to wait for the smoke to spread through the house before your alarms go off!

If you install battery powered smoke detectors, you'll just have to pick a good spot along your walls or ceilings to install their holders, or set them on shelves in open areas. These are generally rather easy to set up.

Hardwired smoke detectors are sometimes a little more difficult to install. Thankfully, many modern contracting companies will install them when they build a new home. 

However, if you need smoke detectors in your home and don't feel comfortable messing with your home's wiring, you can call an electrician to come out and take care of them for you. Try searching for something like "best electrician near me" online, and you'll find plenty of great options of people who can help you get your smoke detectors installed!



Whatever you do, don't put off installing these! You want your home to be as safe as possible, and smoke detectors are a great step to take towards safety (and code compliance!)

Maintaining Smoke Detectors

The most important thing is to replace your smoke detector battery (if you have any) whenever it gets low. Don't let that chirp continue until you don't notice it anymore! Even if your batteries aren't chirping, it's recommended to replace them annually to make sure everything is in top condition.

Additionally, it's recommended to test your smoke detectors monthly. Most of them will have a "TEST" button you can press to make sure the alarm will function properly. You may want headphones for this!

Besides that, you'll want to clean the detector vents annually as well. A microfiber cloth is great for cleaning off dust and dirt, but you may also need to remove the detector from its power source and take off the cover if you have a lot of dirt. You can use compressed air to clean out large amounts of dust and hairs if that is an issue before replacing the cover and putting the detector back in its place.



In general, make sure it's in good working order, just as you would with any other electronics in your home. It's better to have these in working order and never need them, than to need them and have them fail!

Replacing Smoke Detectors

Most smoke detectors should be replaced every ten years, or sooner if they break down! If it's a simple battery smoke detector, it's a simple matter of removing it from its bracket, changing the battery, then putting it back.

But if you're dealing with wired smoke detectors, it can be trickier. If you're uncomfortable with dealing with hardwired power or turning off breakers, call a professional to do the job for you! It's better to spend a little bit of money and have peace of mind than it is to potentially injure yourself or your property.



Aside from that, you should be good to go!

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