Smoke alarm batteries
It’s such a simple maintenance task that it’s easy to overlook. But remembering to change out the batteries in your smoke detector can have an outsized impact when it comes to your family’s safety: odds of survival in a fire are double in homes with working alarms.
Many of us only remember to change the batteries when the shrill beep wakes us up in the middle of the night. And if you have hardwired alarms, you may never get that reminder.
One Househappy team member’s neighbor learned the hard way that even with hardwired alarms that it’s especially important to stay on top of this task. When a major ice storm hit the Portland, Oregon metro area and many homes lost power for days, the five smoke detectors in the neighbor’s house beeped at different intervals all day and night. With no tall ladder or replacement batteries on hand and no way to leave home to purchase some, the neighbor had to sit and listen. And listen.
To complete this task, gather replacement batteries for your smoke detectors and a ladder or step stool. If you have a hardwired smoke detector, you will also need a voltage detector.
Please note: If you do not have a ladder tall enough or cannot safely replace the batteries on your own, please let us know and we can help. Additionally, some smoke alarms have batteries rated to last for 10 years and only require regular testing, which could be completed safely on the ground with the help of a broom or wooden dowel. This may be a great replacement option if you are unable to safely replace your smoke detector batteries twice a year.
How to replace the batteries in your smoke detector
While models vary, here is the way to replace the batteries in most smoke detectors:
Using a ladder or stepstool, carefully climb to reach your smoke detector.
Most smoke alarms need to be removed from the ceiling to replace the battery, although some do have a door on the front to make it easier. Twist counter-clockwise to remove from the mounting plate on the ceiling. If your detector has a child tamper-resistant feature, use the locking pin to disengage.
Before changing the batteries on your detector, check the expiration date. Most have a 10-year shelf life. If yours has already expired or will do so in the next six months, go ahead and replace the detector itself instead of just swapping new batteries.
Replace the old batteries with new ones.
Return the smoke detector to the mounting bracket and twist clockwise to secure it.
Press the test button, usually on the front of the detector, to make sure that it is working properly.
Repeat steps 1 through 6 with all smoke detectors on your property.
Add a reminder to your home maintenance calendar to replace your batteries again in six months — keep scrolling for a video with instructions on how.
How to replace back up batteries in a hardwired smoke detector
A hardwired smoke detector uses household current to power it and has a battery back up in case of loss of power. As with any time that you are dealing with electricity, please exercise extreme caution. If you do not feel comfortable completing this task, we can help. While models vary, here is the way to replace the batteries in most smoke detectors:
Turn off power to the circuit supplying the smoke detector at your home’s electrical service panel.
Use a ladder or chair to access the smoke detector.
Use a voltage detector to ensure that power is off to the smoke detector before proceeding with replacing the batteries.
Gently turn the smoke detector counter-clockwise to disengage from the mounting base. If the smoke detector will not turn, it may have a childproof mounting bracket. If so, push the locking pin into the unit to remove.
Your unit is connected with a wiring harness. Turn the smoke detector to the side and locate the wire connector into the unit. If necessary, unplug the wire from the smoke detector or base.
Before changing the batteries on your detector, check the expiration date. Most have a 10-year shelf life. If yours has already expired or will do so in the next six months, go ahead and replace the detector itself instead of just swapping new batteries.
Replace the old batteries with new ones.
Carefully reconnect the wiring harness, replace onto the base and turn clockwise to engage.
Turn on the circuit breaker.
Test the smoke detector with the test button.
Repeat steps 1 through 9 with all smoke detectors on your property.
Add a reminder to your home maintenance calendar to replace your batteries again in six months: