Smoke & CO alarms: the 5-minute check
· By Fauquier DIY
Clocks change Sunday, Nov 1. It's a good weekend for a quick smoke and carbon monoxide alarm check. Here's what the NFPA says.
Clocks change Sunday, Nov 1. My take: it's a good weekend for a 5-minute smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm check. Grab a step stool.
What the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says
- Smoke alarms go inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level, basement included.
- Keep them at least 10 feet from a cooking appliance. That cuts down on false alarms.
- Wall-mounted alarms should be no more than 12 inches from the ceiling.
- Test them at least once a month with the test button. Never paint them.
- Alarms with sealed 10-year batteries are designed to last up to 10 years. If one chirps, replace the whole alarm. Other battery types need a new battery at least once a year.
- CO alarms go in a central spot outside each sleeping area and on every level. Test them monthly. Replace them per the maker's instructions.
⚠ If a CO alarm goes off
Get outside to fresh air (or to an open window or door), make sure everyone is accounted for, then call for help from there.
Hardwired alarms and new wiring
Swapping a battery or a plug-in or battery-only alarm is a homeowner job. Hardwired alarms and new wiring are electrical work. Call a licensed electrician, and ask the County whether you need a permit. Follow the instructions for your exact alarm.
The "clocks change" reminder is mine, not an NFPA claim. The advice to use a licensed electrician for hardwired work is my own advice.
Sources
Source pages are linked as I read them. Pages change, so check the original for the latest.
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Views are my own and not affiliated with any companies or manufacturers mentioned.
Views are my own and not affiliated with any companies or manufacturers mentioned.