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[flickerbulb]

I admit that I have been slacking! On the other side of my house, I HAD a wired smoke alarm that I took down meaning to replace. It has been gone a long time!

Well, never did that until today. I had another one on the same ceiling that was put in by the alarm company but that one did not work either.

I have one closer to my bedroom that I am going to replace with a combo carbon monoxide/smoke alarm.

I know you are supposed to replace them every 10 years. I am way overdue and am putting it out there so that everyone can be safe.

It took me two minutes to do this, so I don't know what the problem was! I feel much better now. I am off to purchase the other detector now. The one I bought has a place to mark the date of installation.

So, if you have smoke detectors that are over 10 years old, it is time to replace them. One of the options is a two pack so you can get both of them at the same time.

[flickerbulb]

I just returned from Home Depot and there is a sign near the smoke detectors explaining where they should be placed.

In my state, all homes built in 2015 and later must have a combo smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector placed near all bedrooms to be up to code.

Well, I was so far out of code until I upgraded these devices. It pays to read the signs near the displays to keep informed!

[Buck-i-Nana]

I recently picked up new smoke detectors that you program the location of the alarm.  When the alarm goes off, it also announces where it is located!  I added a new location for my alarms too.  I placed one by the interior door to the garage.

[aubnwa01]

I replaced my 10 year old hard wired smoke detectors last year.  I had had trouble with one of the old ones & it kept going off when I'd run the furnace & of course it was the one that was most out of reach.  I ordered a contractor's 6 pack of new alarms (same brand as the existing so the wiring & mounting brackets fit) from Amazon & my local fire dept came out & took down the old ones & installed the new ones for me (they also come out once a year & will replace the 9V batteries in them, I buy the batteries & call & they do it as a community service.  I have vaulted ceilings & several of the alarms I can't reach even from the tippy top of my 6 ft. ladder)

[ECBG]

The fire department recommends changing with clock changes on day light savings time.

[flickerbulb]

I took down the old kind with a 9 volt battery, but the new ones have a 10 year lithium battery that does not need to be replaced.

Once you mount the new alarm and twist it on, it activates the lithium battery. So it is hard wired with the battery back up.

One of mine is very high up and it is a pain to access it. I am glad that I no longer have to worry about the every six months rule or climbing on my 8 foot ladder!