Smoke Detector Maintenance Tips Smoke alarms are one of the most important safety features that you can have in your home. Since they alert your loved ones to a fire in your home faster than they may be able to detect them, they can help everyone get out safely. To ensure that all of your smoke detectors are working properly to keep your family safe, keep these smoke detector maintenance tips in mind. All smoke alarms should be replaced at least every 10 years. Smoke detectors that are more than a decade old are 30 percent more likely to fail. Use your vacuum to clean the dust off of your smoke detectors at least once a year. Dust that covers smoke alarms is one of the biggest contributors to faulty smoke alarms. Replace the batteries in your alarms at least once a year. Do not use long life batteries, especially in older alarms, since it ... Read more