We put smoke alarms in your home to keep you and your family safe.
The alarm will alert you to a fire, giving you more time to react.
If there’s a fire every second counts, so your smoke alarm must always be in good condition.
You should test your smoke alarm weekly. Just press and hold the ‘test’ button. If the detector is working the alarm will sound.
Some of our properties have mains-powered smoke alarms. But even if your smoke detector is hardwired, it will still have a back-up battery in case of a power cut.
If it keeps beeping, the back-up battery probably needs replacing. You should replace the battery every six months to one year.
To change a smoke alarm battery
- Remove the smoke alarm cover (it should unclip from the base with a slight twisting motion)
- Take out the old battery from its holder
- Replace with a new battery (check manufacturer’s instructions to make sure you install a battery of the right voltage)
- Put the cover back on
- Press the ‘test’ button to check the new batteries are working (the alarm will sound)
Never take out the batteries of your smoke alarm without fitting new ones straight away.
If, after replacing the battery, the detector is not working, please report this to us immediately so we can carry out a repair.
Smoke Alarm safety
Please read our helpful information below on taking care not to set off your smoke alarm:
- Burning incense: Incense sticks are lit with fire and therefore create smoke, which leads to them setting off the smoke alarms.
- Wallpaper steamers: Do not use wallpaper steamers, as they may activate some smoke and fire detectors.
- Cooking: Your smoke detector may go off when you are cooking because vapor, smoke, or steam enters the device.
- Showering: Smoke detectors can be set off just with the steam from the shower.
Do not cover the air vents and ensure they are clean and free from dust, as this extracts the steam.
