Five Minutes or Less for Health Weekly Tip: Check Alarm Batteries
Everyone should have smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in their homes. Take a few minutes to ensure your alarms will sound in an emergency.
- Install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near bedrooms.
- Check or change the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors at least twice a year.
- Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home.
- Test smoke alarms monthly to ensure they work properly. For smoke alarms that use regular alkaline batteries, replace the batteries at least once a year. For smoke alarms that use lithium (long-life) batteries, replace the entire alarm unit every 10 years or sooner if it chirps or stops working.
- Make a disaster plan. Know where to meet other family members in case of an emergency, such as a fire.
Learn More
Develop a Family Disaster Plan
This site contains documents in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader
to access the file. If you do not have the Acrobat Reader, you may download a
free copy from the Adobe Web site.
Content Source: CDC Office
of Women’s Health
Page last modified: October 30, 2012
Page last reviewed: October 30, 2012
Page last modified: October 30, 2012
Page last reviewed: October 30, 2012