Smoke alarms that are more than a decade old could be better off in a museum than on a ceiling.
That’s the warning from CFA community safety manager Jude Kennedy.
He said out of date smoke alarms could be a liability in an emergency and all smoke alarms had a 10-year life span.
“We believe that some households have never replaced their smoke alarms and that is concerning,” Mr Kennedy said.
“Smoke alarms are designed to wake you when a fire starts to provide you and your family with the earliest possible warning to get out safely.
“If your smoke alarms aren’t working properly, you may miss that vital early warning sign that could save the lives of you and your family.”
He recommended installing hardwired 240 volt 10-year photoelectric smoke alarms with a long-life lithium battery in a tamper-proof chamber.
“When installed and maintained correctly these smoke alarms detect smoke the quickest, giving you more time to evacuate,” Mr Kennedy said.
“If you don’t have a working smoke alarm in your home and a fire occurs, you are four times more likely to die and 26 per cent more likely to suffer serious injuries.
“If you do choose to use a nine-volt battery smoke alarm, the battery will need to be replaced every year.
“A good reminder is doing it every year at the end of daylight savings or at the start of the new financial year.”
