Go replace the batteries in your smoke detector...

[Barkleymut]

Just woke up from some small explosions happening in the back yard. Looked out the window to see a neighbors home completely engulfed in flames. Everyone got out luckily, the Fire Department was there before I even woke up but the house is still a total loss. It looked like a giant Roman candle when I first saw it, now it is just a big smoldering black frame.

For the safety of you and everyone else, replace the batteries in your smoke detectors this weekend. They really do save lives.

 

[Donald]

And make sure to read the directions for what types of batteries. Some do not want lithium due to the way they hold their voltage until they are almost exhausted. Thus little warning about a low battery.

 

[Donald]

And better yet, go buy a can of smoke detector test smoke and test the smoke detectors. Its less than $10 on Amazon.

 

[andyd]

Test smoke isn't favored. The gunk builds up. Smokes should be replaced every 10 yrs arbitrarily. Stay with the recommended battery

 

[Bob_E]

While you're at it, make sure you have a CO detector as well.

 

[DBMaster]

Really posted this more for the hug related to fire safety.

 

[JavierG]

Originally Posted By: Bob_E
While you're at it, make sure you have a CO detector as well.

Definitely. Another silent killer.

 

[ARB1977]

I usually wait till one beeps. We've got one in every room.

 

[skyactiv]

I replaced the old smoke detectors in my house with photoelectric ones. Most people have and are still buying ionization smoke detectors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrOLxh8GuCU

 

[Errtt]

Thanks - just did the four battery smoke detectors (each bedroom). Another smoke detector (in hallway) is 120VAC.
Also fresh batteries in CO detector (hallway). I should get another.
We have several clocks, so many portable radios etc., its going to take a bit of time to get the times changed (excluding those that update automatically). Guessing 60 or so devices to change time (never counted all - lol).
I might as well do the 3 vehicles while I do my oil, air pressure etc. checks today.
I wish they would quit screw'n with the time.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: andyd
Test smoke isn't favored. The gunk builds up. Smokes should be replaced every 10 yrs arbitrarily. Stay with the recommended battery


The test smoke on a can is fine. It does not build up. Lighting a piece of newspaper to cause smoke is not a good test, maybe thats what andyd is referring to.

 

[supton]

I usually replace batteries every couple years--but I have ac/dc powered units. Good reminder though, and it's time change weekend. But it's time to replace the units, and I ought to go look to see what is out for sale (does anyone shop for good/better/best smoke detectors?). Time to replace the CO detectors too.

Speaking of which, I can hear them going off, wife is cooking again. For some reason the oven at 450F sets off one. Annoying.

 

[Barkleymut]

Here is the video of the blaze.... That house was a total loss in minutes. http://wtvr.com/2014/03/08/fire-engulfs-chesterfield-home-2/

 

[HTSS_TR]

I replace 9V battery every year when we turn the clock back by 1 hour.

 

[artificialist]

Good thing the ones in mom's house beep when the battery is low, or that the whole thing has failed.

According to manufacturers, smoke detectors last 10 years under ideal conditions. Mom got 8 years from her smoke detectors.

They failed on Black Friday. I had to wait in a very long line where most people were buying discounted TVs.

One thing I found out with smoke detector models that that some detect smoke with radiation, others use infared. Since I knew most house came with ones with radioactive sensors, I bought the ones that use radiation and infared, just because I didn't know if our house needed infared or not.

 

[LazyPrizm]

I think the only time I've put consideration into IR/rad units is the one near the bathroom. Hot shower in a cold house = steam, which sets off the optical sensors. Very annoying.

I rent, but I still replaced the cheapo smoke detectors at my last place with quality ones. Worth the $$ to not wake up on fire.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Good thing the ones in mom's house beep when the battery is low, or that the whole thing has failed.

According to manufacturers, smoke detectors last 10 years under ideal conditions. Mom got 8 years from her smoke detectors.

The 2 smog detectors were installed in my house long before I bought it 17 years ago, it's possible that they are more than 20-25 years old. Last I check it were working.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Good thing the ones in mom's house beep when the battery is low, or that the whole thing has failed.

According to manufacturers, smoke detectors last 10 years under ideal conditions. Mom got 8 years from her smoke detectors.

The 2 smog detectors were installed in my house long before I bought it 17 years ago, it's possible that they are more than 20-25 years old. Last I check it were working.


How do you know they are working?

 

[Quest]

even though Americium (used in ionisation type smoke detectors ) typically has a half-life of over 400years, fact is, with those crummy lytic capacitors, poorly constructed contacts (most cheep smoke detectors are made with solder contacts with bare (non plated)metal prongs, etc.

given the exposure of these smoke detectors (location-wise), it would be best to have them replaced every 7~10 yrs...

I have kidde failed on me between 8mnths to 1.5yrs....just so that you know.

Q.

 

[Mykl]

Originally Posted By: Donald
And better yet, go buy a can of smoke detector test smoke and test the smoke detectors. Its less than $10 on Amazon.


I never even knew this was a thing. Thanks for the tip.