How to Replace Batteries in Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

When Benjamin Franklin first said “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” he was talking about fire safety—and his famous adage still holds true today. Spending $15 to $20 on replacement batteries for your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors ensures that you’ll be alerted to the first sign of a fire or dangerous gases, thus preserving your property and your health. Don’t put off this potentially life-saving precaution. Get on the stepladder this weekend to safeguard your home and family.

What to Do

Replace the batteries in each of your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, then test to ensure the units are still working properly.

How to Do It

Locate each smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in your home, open each unit, and identify the type of battery required. Remove each old battery and replace with a new one. Press each smoke detector or carbon monoxide unit’s test button to ensure the new battery is properly installed and that the detector is still in good working condition. Replace faulty devices as needed.

What You’ll Need

The Basics

• Stepladder
• New batteries

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