The Smart 10-Year Smoke Detector is Catching On
Of the many service calls Vintage Electric receives, a common one is to replace worn out or non-functioning smoke detectors. The good news is, there is a new Smokey on the market with a very long shelf life. We are now using only these in new homes and when replacing old units.
A new sealed smoke alarm with a 10 year battery costs just slightly more than the current ones in use in California. Though, New York is now requiring all units to be 10-year sealed alarms, for safety and it’s only a matter of time before other states follow suit.
Since smoke alarms are usually installed at the same time in a home, the smoke detector alarms will lose battery life in close time proximity. So, it’s best to replace all the Smokey’s at the same time for consistency.
The 10-year, sealed, non-removable battery will undoubtedly prevent a significant number of fire deaths and serious injuries. Two-thirds of fire related deaths occur from non-functioning smoke alarms.
Fire Fatalities Often Due to the “Hassle Factor”
Well-meaning people, annoyed by the sound of a dying battery, or by one that is doing its job around a smoky kitchen, take out the battery as do people who are in immediate “need” of a battery for some other device.
Regardless of the reason, most people have every intention of replacing that battery, but just don’t get around to it, with sometimes tragic consequences.
Ten-year smoke alarms, with long-life batteries that are sealed into the unit, will make a BIG difference in improving safety.
Steps to Take for Safety and Long Smoke Detector Life:
- Replace your current smoke detectors with 10-Year Units
- Test your smoke alarm regularly. Long life batteries are just that, but “long life” may not be 10 years. Batteries can and do fail, so continue to test them once every month or so, if they are in reach.
- Keep unit free of dirt and dust. Alarms are sensitive and finely tuned; like any appliance, they work better when clean! Use a vacuum hose or duster to remove damaging dirt and never, ever paint a smoke detector.
- The new smoke alarms, while slightly more expensive, will be well worth the cost in lives saved and injuries prevented. Also a small price to pay well to end those 2 a.m. nuisance chirps.