About your smoke detector
.gif)
If the alarm goes off
- Take your family to where it is easy to escape in case there is a fire.
- Check all rooms for signs of smoke.
- Feel around each door before opening it. If there is any sign of heat, smoke or noise, don’t open the door.
If a fire has broken out:
- do not attempt to tackle it yourself. Smoke and fumes can kill in minutes
- get everyone out of the house and call the Fire Service (999)
- don’t go back for any reason.
If there is no sign of smoke or fire:
- the battery may need replacing
- something may have caused it to operate in error. See Emergency action below.
Emergency action
A smoke detector may operate in error if:
- a heater or clothes drier is too near it
- someone smokes a cigarette or pipe near it
- an aerosol spray is used near it
- there are excessive cooking fumes or steam, eg: roasting meat, burnt toast, etc
- there are strong draughts from nearby doors or windows.
Changing the battery (this is not necessary if your alarm is mains-wired)
- Buy a new 9 volt battery.
- Open the detector by gently prising off the cover.
- Unclip the battery from its connections and retaining clips.
- Clip the new battery firmly into place. Ensure it is put in the same way as the one removed ie + and - signs on the battery to match up with + and - signs on the detector.
- Close the detector and test it using the test button.
To test your alarm:
- press and hold the test button for a few seconds. The alarm should sound
- if the alarm does not sound, try cleaning it and test again
- if the alarm still does not sound after cleaning, replace the battery. If it still doesn't work you will need to replace the whole detector.
