Smoke Alarm Maintenance
A smoke alarm has a test button. Once a month, push the test button then see if the alarm works by burning a cotton string. Vacuum your smoke alarm every six months because a buildup of dust can render the device ineffective. For battery-operated alarms, use your vacuum’s soft bristle attachment to clean the inside of the device. After turning off the power, you should only vacuum the outside vents of an electrically-powered alarm. If your smoke alarm begins to chirp, you need to replace the batteries immediately.
