How to Troubleshoot Home Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors are a common and essential device in keeping your home and family safe in the event of a fire. Because the role of a smoke detector is so important, you should check it regularly to ensure it's functioning properly. If you notice your smoke detector isn't responding, makes a constant chirping noise or is experiencing other issues, you can troubleshoot it yourself before heading to the store for a replacement.

Things You'll Need

Vacuum cleaner with brush attachment

Instructions

- 1
  Vacuum your smoke detector using the brush extension on your vacuum cleaner. Dust often accumulates on the smoke detector over time, so you need to clean the device regularly. Dust and dirt collecting on the smoke detector may cause it to trigger randomly or not at all.
- 2
  Reinstall the smoke alarm in another area of your home. BRK Electronics suggests you keep smoke detectors a minimum of 20 feet away from home appliances that might trigger your smoke detector (such as an oven or furnace) and a minimum of 10 feet away from high-humidity areas (such as your bathroom).
- 3
  Remove the battery pull tab if it's still inserted in the smoke detector. This is normally removed upon initial installation.
- 4
  Replace the batteries in the smoke detector. When a smoke detector's batteries are running low, it makes a low chirping noise to remind you to change the batteries. Battery replacement varies from model to model.
- 5
  Remove and reinsert the smoke detector's batteries, taking care to close the battery cover completely. If the battery cover is left open or the batteries are improperly inserted, the smoke detector does not function properly.

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