Maintaining your Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms save lives. Without them in your home, your risk of death from a house fire is up to 3 times higher. Nearly half of all house fire deaths occur when people are sleeping.
Fire and Emergency Services recommends all homes are fitted with photoelectric smoke alarms (not ionization types

When you’re asleep, you lose your sense of smell. Don’t assume your smoke alarms are working. Press the button to check.
Smoke alarm maintenance guide

How to maintain and check some alarms regularly.
Once a month
Press the test button to sound the alarm. (Use a broom handle if you can’t reach the button).
Every six months
Vacuum or dust your smoke alarms to help avoid false alarms.
Every year
Check the expiry date, usually located on the bottom or side of the alarm. If there’s no expiry date, it’s best to replace the alarm.

Replace the battery every year.
Your alarms will start to beep regularly if the battery is low.
Every 10 years replace all smoke alarms with new long-life photoelectric smoke alarms.
For hard-wired smoke alarms
Follow the testing and maintenance schedule provided by the installer.