Test Your Smoke Alarm

You’re more than twice as likely to die in a fire if you don’t have a smoke alarm that works and last year 18 people in the UK died because the battery in their smoke alarm was flat or missing.   Follow this battery smoke alarm advice so you aren’t at risk.

If you have a smoke alarm that is wired in (doesn't have batteries) – and it isn’t working please report it using the repair reporting contact details.

How to test your battery operated smoke alarm:

• Press the test button until the alarm sounds
• If it doesn’t sound try cleaning it and test again
• If it still doesn’t sound you need to change the battery. If it’s still not working you need to replace the whole alarm. 
• If your smoke alarm starts to beep on a regular basis you need to change the battery straight away.

How to change the battery in your smoke alarm:

• Open the alarm by gently taking off the cover & unclip the battery 
• Clip the new battery firmly into place. Make sure you put the battery back in the same way round as the old one. The + and – signs on the battery need to meet up with the + and – signs on the alarm.
• Close the alarm and press the test button to check it’s working

Remember:

• Test the batteries in your smoke alarm once a week
• Change them every year
• Never take them out to use for something else

Are you hard of hearing?

You can get strobe light and vibrating-pad smoke alarms. Contact the Royal National Institute for Deaf People Information Line on 0808 808 0123.