Living · guide
A fall household check starts with the smoke alarms overhead
Monthly testing and checking an alarm’s age are simple steps Virginia households can put on the calendar.
A smoke alarm can be easy to overlook until it makes a sound. An October household check is a useful moment to test each unit and find out how old it is.
The U.S. Fire Administration recommends testing alarms monthly and replacing them ten years after manufacture. Follow the instructions for the specific model, including its battery requirements.
Check coverage as well as batteries
The agency recommends alarms inside bedrooms, outside separate sleeping areas and on every level of a home, including the basement. Interconnected units sound together when one detects a problem.
For alarms with replaceable batteries, follow the manufacturer’s maintenance directions; a sealed long-life unit needs different handling. Never remove a battery to silence an alarm while cooking.
Virginia residents who need help selecting or maintaining an alarm can contact their local fire department’s nonemergency line. Renters should raise missing or malfunctioning alarms with their property manager.
Read the federal smoke-alarm guidance for model-specific maintenance information. Guidance checked October 3. More practical resources: Living in Virginia.
