Five Minutes or Less for Health Weekly Tip: Check Alarm Batteries

Everyone should have smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in their homes. Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death.

Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms.

Take a few minutes to ensure your alarms will sound in an emergency.

• Install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near bedrooms, and make sure smoke alarms are near all sleeping rooms. Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home.
• Choose smoke alarms that communicate with each other, so that if one alarm sounds they all will.
• Check or change the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors at least twice a year.
• Test smoke alarms monthly.
• 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 smoke alarm according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Make and practice an escape plan in the event of a fire or emergency.

Learn More

• US Fire Administration
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Indoor Air Quality
• Develop a Family Disaster Plan