The Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons are upon us. We’ll be lighting scented candles, hanging holiday lights, and cooking some of our favorite meals. But these activities also bring an increased risk of fires—meaning we need to make sure our smoke alarms are prepared to prevent potential hazards.

This is one of the most enjoyable times of the year. But before indulging in all the fun festivities, we’ll walk you through a simple smoke alarm checklist to ensure your safety and peace of mind.

1. Test your smoke alarms

The easiest way to test your smoke alarm is to press the test button on the front of the device. It’s usually located on the center or side of the alarm.

After you’ve pressed the test button, the alarm should make a loud sound. If you hear the sound, that means the smoke alarm is working the way it should. But if you don’t hear the sound, it could mean that it’s time to change the batteries or replace the unit altogether.

 

Finger pressing the test button on a ceiling-mounted smoke alarm, illustrating safety checks and home fire prevention measures.

 

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released a report in June 2024, stating that “[n]early three out of five (59 percent) home fire deaths were caused by fires in properties with no smoke alarms (43 percent) or smoke alarms that failed to operate (16 percent).

Pro tip: It’s good practice to test your smoke alarms at least once a month. Set a recurring reminder on your smartphone, or simply mark your calendar.

2. Clean your smoke alarms

Dust, debris, and cobwebs can build up around your smoke alarms. If your alarms are left uncleaned for a long time, the debris can prevent the sensors from working properly. 

The following are a few easy ways to safely clean your smoke alarms:

  • Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment.
  • Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the outer surface.
  • Use a can of compressed air to dislodge dust or debris.

Pro tip: Avoid using cleaning products that contain harsh chemicals. These chemicals can damage the unit, or negatively impact its overall performance.

Smoke alarms should be cleaned every six months.

3. Check the expiration date

It may sound strange, but smoke alarms have expiration dates. The sensors can become less sensitive over time. This is why it’s important to make sure no dust, insects, or cobwebs have built up around your smoke alarms.

To find the expiration date, look for the label on the back of the device. Most alarms have an expiration date printed on them. At the very least, there should be a manufacturing date. 

The expiration date on smoke alarms is usually ten years after the date of manufacture. If your smoke alarm is more than ten years old, it may be time to replace it.

Pro tip: Consult the smoke alarm user’s manual. It will usually tell you how long your smoke alarms should last. While most alarms need to be replaced every ten years, it can depend on the type of smoke alarm you have, such as ionization or photoelectric.

4. Change the batteries

Changing the batteries in your smoke alarms is an easy way to ensure they’re working correctly. Most of the time, you don’t know when the batteries have died in your smoke alarms. That’s why changing the batteries regularly is good practice.

A safe rule of thumb is to change the batteries in all your smokes alarms at least once per year. Many people choose to change out the batteries when they switch their clocks back for daylight saving time. But any time you pick will do. Just try to be consistent.

Always use the type of batteries recommended by the manufacturer. If you use a different battery, it could cause your smoke alarms to malfunction. 

Pro tip: After you’ve successfully changed out the batteries, be sure to test your smoke alarms by pressing the test button.

Smoke alarm maintenance can get lost in the shuffle during the holiday rush, but these simple steps—along with consistency—will be sure to put your mind at ease this holiday season!

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