Maintenance Monday: Battery Check

Posted on | January 14, 2008 |

If you’re new to my blog, let me extend a warm welcome.  If you enjoy your visit, please take a second to subscribe to my RSS feed.

Maintenance Monday is a regular “column” of sorts in which I share a maintenance tip.  I am of the “quality, not quantity” philosophy and, to me, a key element of truly frugal living is buying high quality products and then doing everything necessary to protect that investment and prolong the life of my possessions.

~ o o o O o o o ~

This reminder’s a bit late, but as they say, better late than never, right?

We’re now two weeks into a new year.  How many of you remembered to change the batteries in your home’s smoke detectors?  [I sure hope I shouldn't have first asked how many of you have smoke detectors.]

It is generally recommended that homeowners change the batteries in their smoke detectors at least once per year.  I have seen sources that recommend changing batteries every 6 months, or twice a year.  But in my experience, especially if you’re using a dependable brand-name battery, once a year is plenty.  If your detectors start to chirp before your annual battery replacement date, you should consider changing battery brands or switching to a 6-month replacement schedule.

It is also recommended that your smoke detectors be replaced every 8 or so years.  Although the thought of perfectly good smoke detectors choking our already overflowing landfills makes me wince, that recommendation makes sense.  Eight years of dust, smoke (cigarette smoke, cooking smoke, etc.), and the variations of temperatures thoughout the years will eventually take their toll on the plastics used in the detectors.  In addition, technology is always changing (and usually improving) so upgrading to new detectors every 8 years seems reasonable.

My detectors should have another 5 or so years of service left in them.  But the battery replacement process is overdue.  I’ve dug up a relatively fresh box of 9 volt batteries (expiration date is March 2010) so now it’s time to find a step-ladder and get to work.  Hm, this sounds like an excellent task for The Son, doesn’t it?  Time for mom to provide a little lesson in home maintenance.

Oh, and don’t forget to replace the backup battery in your CO2 detector at the same time!

If you’ve changed your smoke detector batteries this year — on your own or after my reminder, use the comment box to check in and let me know

Related Posts for Further Reading

• No Related Posts

Comments