Installing smoke detectors is the single best way to protect your home and family from fire. In fact, 43% of residential fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke detectors, according to the National Fire Protection Association. But it’s worth noting that another 16% of fatalities happen in homes with smoke detectors that failed to operate.
That grim statistic is a reminder that even a heavily regulated safety device like a smoke detector can stop working on you. A dead battery is one common culprit, though in that case there’s the annoying chirp to alert you. What fewer people realize is that the sensors inside the devices that detect smoke and heat degrade over time, causing them to fail.
The speed of degradation is influenced by a variety of factors, including the level of dust and humidity in the home. But the average lifespan, according to manufacturers and safety experts, is 10 years.
Unfortunately, smoke detectors don’t feature an end-of-life signal, akin to the battery chirp, so it’s up to you keep track. If you’re not sure how old the current smoke detectors in your home are, check the manufacture date on the underside of the device.
One important caveat to keep in mind: the sensors used to detect carbon monoxide (CO) in the home degrade after 7 years. That means if your home is equipped with combination smoke and CO detectors, those devices need to be replaced every 7 years.
Smoke detector picks
First Alert Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector
More Fire Safety Tips
As we head into the most dangerous time of year for home fires, keep these additional safety tips in mind:
- Make sure flammable items, like curtains and bedding, are at least 3 feet from any heat source, including space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves.
- Never plug more than one heat-producing appliance, such as toaster ovens, air fryers, and space heaters, into an electrical outlet at a time.
- Keep lit candles away from decorations and other items that can burn.
- Always stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. Turn off the stove if you need to leave the area, even for a short period of time.
- Never run power cords under carpets or fire, since their wiring can get pinched or frayed, potentially sparking a fire.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
