Why is my smoke alarm beeping? Ahrns Electrical answers your questions
As winter approaches and the risk of house fires increases, here’s what you need to know to keep your home and family safe.
This sponsored story is brought to you by Ahrns Electrical.
Daylight saving has ended and autumn is here, which means two things.
First: night time during the cooler months is when the risk of house fires is highest, so having a working smoke alarm is critical.
Second: you should check your smoke alarm to make sure it will warn you and your family in case of a fire.
The end of daylight saving, over Easter, is the best time to change any batteries in your smoke alarm – get on that if you haven’t already.
But there are a few more tips you should know, too.
Here’s the low-down, thanks to Ahrns Electrical.
Why is my smoke alarm beeping?
Who among us hasn’t moved into a new home, heard a sinister beep in the middle of the night and worried that flaming death is on the way?
If it is just a beep, rather than full-volume craziness, it means your smoke alarm’s battery needs replacing.
Battery-powered alarms should get new batteries every year, or whenever a warning beep starts to sound; and mains-powered alarms may sometimes need replacement backup batteries, too.
How often should I test my smoke alarm?
Yes, we know it’s loud and it bothers the kids and the dog.
But having it fail in your time of need would be much more annoying.
Press and hold the “test” button on your smoke alarm, until the alarm sounds, every month or so.
If you have a hard-wired smoke alarm, you can test its back-up battery by disconnecting it from mains power at your home’s switchboard – just be sure to switch it back on again afterwards.
How often should I clean my smoke alarm?
It’s okay to admit that you can’t remember the last time you dusted up there.
The MFS recommends that you vacuum around your smoke alarms every six months, using a soft brush attachment, to remove any debris.
Give them a quick test when you’re done.
Do old smoke alarms need to be replaced?
Yes, they do – the MFS recommends that you do it after about 10 years, regardless of what type of smoke alarm you have.
Be aware that regulations may have changed since yours were installed, too.
Mains-connected smoke alarms are required in most homes built after January 1, 1995.
In any case, the best protection is provided by newer photoelectric smoke alarms, interconnected if there is more than one.
Smoke alarms should comply with Australian standard 3786 – they’ll have “AS3786” and/or the Standards Australia logo, with five red ticks, on their packaging.
If you’re renting, your landlord is responsible for installing and maintaining smoke alarms.
What do I do if my smoke alarm goes off?
It’s all well and good to have a working smoke alarm, but do you know what to do if it is activated?
Be prepared: plan how each person in the household would evacuate in case of a fire, make sure doors and windows are able to be unlocked, choose a safe place outside to meet up, and make sure everyone knows to call 000 in an emergency.
If you burn your toast or experience some other false alarm, just press the “quiet” button on your smoke detector.
But if a fire starts in your home:
- Get down low, to avoid heat and smoke, and get out
- Warn others about the danger as you go
- Check the handles on closed doors before going into a room – if the handle is hot, there may be fire on the other side
- Call the fire service on 000 once you are safely out
- Do not go back inside until emergency services say it is safe
Working smoke alarms can reduce the risk of a fatal house fire by 60 per cent, according to the Country Fire Service.
Ahrns Electrical can help
For a free evaluation of your smoke alarms, contact Ahrns Electrical in Murray Bridge today.
Someone from the Ahrns team can come and appraise your alarms’ condition and your property’s requirements, and offer a free quote on having replacements installed and connected to mains power.
If that alarm wakes you up in the middle of the night, 10 years from now, and saves your life or property, the minor investment will have been worth it.
- Contact Ahrns Electrical: Call 0423 197 608 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
- More information: Visit ahrnselectrical.com.au or follow Ahrns Electrical on Facebook or Instagram; or for more safety tips, visit www.mfs.sa.gov.au.
Advertising to more than 20,000 highly engaged locals can do wonders for your business. Call Jane Intini on 0418 835 768 or email jane@murraybridge.news.
Peri Strathearn
