Change your Clock, change your Batteries

     A good way to remember to change your batteries is to change them every time daylight savings comes around in the spring and the fall.

Keep your detector working

     Remember, a smoke detector that's not working cannot protect you.  Tragically, many fire deaths happen in homes as a result of malfunctioning smoke detectors that have batteries that are either worn out or missing.

     Follow the manufacturer's instructions.  Test your smoke detectors every month and install new batteries at least once a year.  Many battery powered units "chirp" or give some other audible signal when their batteries need replacement.

     Clean your detectors using a vacuum cleaner, without removing the detector's cover.  Dust and cobwebs can reduce a smoke detector's sensitivity to smoke.

     Never paint a smoke detector

     Smoke detectors do not last forever.  You should replace smoke detectors that are more than 10 years old.