APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – As we once again prepare to spring ahead for Daylight Savings Time, firefighters remind everyone it’s a good time to check on your smoke detectors.
“The recommendation is that twice a year, every six months, to change the batteries in smoke detectors. What that does is ensures that they’re going to function at the highest level possible. It’s also a great time to check the date on the smoke detector and make sure that it’s no more than ten years old,” Appleton Battalion Chief of Fire Prevention Derek Henson says.
Batteries should be regularly replaced during bi-annual checks. The detectors themselves should also be replaced every ten years or if it simply isn’t working anymore.
“After ten years, they’re due for replacement – the sensors wear out. They will still function, but they may not function at their peak and we want to make sure they’re functioning at their peak to provide the earliest possible notification that there’s a fire in the house,” Henson tells WTAQ News, “Whether the detector works with the test button or not – once it hits ten years, it needs to be replaced.”
Luckily for those concerned about checking their detectors – the process isn’t difficult.
“Testing a smoke detector is as simple as pushing the test button. Do it with your finger or a broomstick if you can’t reach it. The detector should sound within 5-10 seconds,” Henson says.
If the detector doesn’t sound within that time, the unit is likely dead and should be replaced. There are services available to help with the replacement of units for anyone who may need help.
Homes should have detectors on every level and outside of sleeping areas.
