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Solera CERT Cadre A fire can spread very quickly in your home, but a smoke detector can sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger and allowing you and your family enough time to get out safely. While invaluable, and a must-have in all homes, smoke detectors are often neglected (until they start chirping!), but you should regularly take the opportunity to test that all your alarms are working, and double check that alarms are positioned everywhere they need to be. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), among fires in which smoke alarms were present but didn't operate, 46 percent of those alarms had missing or disconnected batteries. It is recommended by the NFPA that changeable batteries are replaced every six months and alarms tested every month. Many battery- powered alarms do come with lithium-ion batteries that are rated to last for the entire service life of the alarm. Smoke alarms typically reach their end-of-life at 10 years, and the NFPA recommends replacing them entirely at that time. There is typically a date of manufacture listed on the back of an alarm, which should give you an indication when it's time to replace it. General Alarm Maintenance • Alarm powered by a nine-volt battery or AA batteries: • Test the alarm once a month. • Clean the alarm monthly. Replace the batteries every six months. • Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years. • Alarm powered by a 10-year sealed (or "long-life") battery: • Test the alarm once a week. • Clean the alarm monthly. • Since you cannot replace a sealed battery, replace the entire alarm after you hear the end-of-life signal (five chirps). • Alarm that is hardwired into your home's electrical system: • Test the alarm once a week. • Clean the alarm monthly. • Replace the backup battery at least once every year. • Replace the entire alarm every 10 years. Cleaning Your Alarms • Clean your alarms at least once a month. This ensures that smoke or CO can reach the alarm's sensing chamber. • Gently vacuum the outside of the alarm using your household vacuum's soft brush attachment. A can of clean compressed air (sold at office supply stores) may also be used. Ray C. Gayton-Jacob, coordinator for the City of Beaumont CERT program at Solera. https://www.solera-cert.info SMOKE ALARM CARE • For Seniors By Seniors Take responsibility to protect your life! Prepare NOW for a sudden emergency | LIFE IN SOLERA | MAY 2023 | 9