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5 MinTools Checklist
Why Should I Change My Smoke Detector Batteries?
Don’t bother changing your smoke detector batteries until you’ve tested your smoke detector. We’ve got a step-by-step of how to do that here.
Once you’ve read through that, it should be pretty obvious whether or not you should change your battery and why it’s important. But here’s a list of reasons just in case you need more motivation:
- Smoke detectors save lives (it’s well documented)
- Changing a battery takes 5 minutes tops
- Climbing on a step stool can be fun
- No working smoke detector batteries, no smoke detection…and wouldn’t you like to be alerted of such things?
- You can’t smell or see carbon monoxide, so your smoke detector is your only shot at sensing it and getting the heck out of there.
What Happens If I Don't Change My Smoke Detector Batteries?
Well, the smoke detector fairy won’t be showing up to do it for you. If you don’t regularly test and change your smoke detector batteries, you’re playing with fire (pun intended). Your smoke detectors will eventually stop working, or they will be so low on battery that if the alarm goes off, the beeping sound may be too quiet for you to actually hear it.
Smoke detectors should be a “sure-thing” in your home. You shouldn’t be wondering whether or not the battery is dead or almost dead, and you shouldn’t be wondering if they are functioning correctly. Take the time to get to know your smoke detectors, figure out how they work, and keep fresh batteries in them. It’s just not worth the risk. (Did we mention it only takes five minutes?)
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Step-By-Step
- 1. Grab your step stool.
Grab your step stool or ladder and place it below the detector.
Next Step
- 2. Climb up to the detector and remove the cover.
Most detector covers twist right off with a little pressure. However, some detectors require you to push a release in order to take off the cover. If this is the case, there will usually be an arrow pointing to the button you need to push. You might need to use a paperclip to access the button.
Next Step
- 3. Find the battery cartridge.
Find the battery cartridge and observe how the battery is positioned in the cartridge to make sure you put in the new one the same way.
Next Step
- 4. Take out the old battery.
Take out the old battery. Dispose of your old battery responsibly
Next Step
- 5. Put in the new battery.
Put in the new battery in the same position as the old battery.
Next Step
- 6. Close the cartridge and put the cover back on.
Close the cartridge and put the cover back on. The cover will either twist or snap back into place.
Next Step
- 7. Test the new battery.
Test the new battery by pushing the test button on your device. Wait thirty seconds and see if the alarm sounds. If not, check the position of the battery. If all else fails, try a new battery.