How can I best care for my detector?

Dirt, extreme changes in temperature and cooking exhaust can cause a false alarm or malfunction of the detector. To prevent false alarms, locate the detector away from air vents, air conditioners and fans. Keep the grill work free of dirt by occasional vacuuming and dusting.


Don't paint the cover of a smoke detector as this may clog the grill work. Test your detector every month, or more often if necessary to make sure it's working. This is usually done with the test button, if provided.

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1. Why use a smoke detector?
2. Where should I install my detector?
3. What type should I buy?
4. How are detectors powered?
5. How can I best care for my detector?