18 April 2021
How to test your smoke alarms
Smoke alarms can save lives, but only if they’re working properly. That’s why it’s essential to test yours regularly. Here’s how to do it.
[0:04] Mick
Looking good Morris.
[0:05] Morris
Yeah, thank you.
[0:07] Mick
Ok, I know I need to test my smoke alarms, so what’s the first step?
[0:09] Morris
Our first step, you should probably go tell everyone in the home that you’re going to test the smoke alarms. That way they’re aware that it’s going to be some sound and they don’t go running for the hills and they know that it’s just an alarm.
[0:19] Mick
Okay, so we don’t have anyone panicking which is great so they’re all informed.
What’s the next step?
[0:24] Morris
Next step, I’m going to press and hold the test button. I’m using a ladder here but you can use the end of a broom if you don’t have a sturdy ladder.
[0:29] Mick
That’s a good tip.
[0:30] Morris
Yep, we’ll give these a go.
[0:33] Smoke alarm beeping
[0:40] Mick
They seem to be working really well.
[0:42] Morris
Yeah, they do Mick. If you press the test button and nothing happens or it’s really faint in sound they probably need looking at and that’s definitely something we can help with.
These ones here are interconnected Mick, so if one goes off it sets them all off so it’s probably a good idea to have someone go around with you and make sure that they’re all going off.
So test one here and then go around and test the other ones as well and make sure that they’re all still interconnected.
[1:03] Mick
Yeah right, so test it, have someone else in another room listening too as well. Ok great all right and so how often should I be testing them?
[1:09] Morris
Good practice is once a month Mick. These things save lives but only if they work the way that they should.
[1:13] Mick
Well, absolutely mate that’s great advice thank you.
