Is Your Smoke Detector Working Properly?

How to Test Smoke Alarms in Your Apartment

Sometimes, it feels like all you have to do is think about baking cookies and your smoke alarm will go off. While that sound may be one of the most annoying things ever invented, at least you know it will be there for you when a real fire happens. But what if the occasional kitchen fire doesn’t trigger any alarms? Or what if someone (we’re not saying it’s you) might have accidentally knocked the smoke alarm off of the wall? These things do tend to happen, after all. That’s when it’s time to act like a real-life grownup, and perform one of those classic tasks every adult must learn: testing the smoke detectors.

You should always refer to your user manual for instructions, but here are the basics:

Step One: Warn your family members/neighbors. Smoke detectors are extremely loud and disorienting – and they have a tendency to, well, alarm people. So be sure to warn all your family members or roommates beforehand. It might also be a good idea to tell your next-door neighbors if you think they are close enough to hear it.

Step Two: Locate the “hush” button. The last thing you want to do is set off a smoke detector only to realize you have no earthly idea of how to silence it. Most devices have a “hush” button that will solve this problem. However, if you can’t find any such button you may need to locate the user manual.

Step Three: Crisis-free test. To perform a crisis-free test, simply press the “Test” button on the smoke detector. The alarm will go off in a series of short bursts, or until you remove your finger from the button. It’s a good idea to perform this test with a friend to ensure the sound is audible throughout the home.

Step Four: Crisis test. While the crisis-free test ensures that the sound mechanism is working, it doesn’t tell you much about actual smoke-detecting capabilities. That’s where the crisis test comes in. For most smoke detectors, all you have to do is light a match, blow it out, and hold the smoke up to the detector. However, some manufacturers warn against this method and advise you to purchase an inexpensive aerosol spray specifically designed for this type of test. Your user manual should have instructions specific to your detector.

Step Five: Keep it clean. It’s important to clean your smoke detectors after each test to prevent buildup of dirt, dust, and any debris that may have accumulated. These tiny particles have a knack for messing with the smoke sensor. You can vacuum the surface of your smoke detector using the soft brush attachment to make sure dust buildup is removed.

Last: It’s important to test smoke alarms at least twice a year – say once in the spring and once in the fall. Testing and maintaining these life-saving devices will ensure they work when you need them most. Your safety and peace of mind are well-worth the time.