How to choose a smoke alarm

What to look for

Tick each point the product you are considering meets.

• Check the alarm is certified to a recognised standard, such as BS EN 14604 with a Kitemark in the UK.^[2]
• Cover both fire types: fit both ionisation and photoelectric (optical) alarms, or choose dual-sensor alarms.^[1]
• Prefer an alarm with a 10-year life span and a sealed battery, which avoids battery changes and tampering.^[3]
• Choose interconnected alarms so that when one sounds, they all sound.^[1]
• If buying mains-powered alarms, make sure they have a backup battery.^[2]
• Use a heat alarm, not a smoke alarm, in the kitchen, where steam and fumes cause false alarms.^[3]
• For anyone deaf or hard of hearing, get alarms with strobe lights and a vibrating pad for the bed.^[2]
• Buy enough to cover every level, inside and outside each sleeping area, mounted on the ceiling or high on a wall.^[1]

Avoid

• Never take the batteries out of an alarm to power something else.^[3]
• Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking.^[4]

After you buy

• Test every alarm at least once a month by pressing the test button.^[1]
• Change replaceable batteries, including backup batteries in wired alarms, at least once a year.^[1]
• Replace the whole alarm 10 years from its manufacture date.^[1]
• Gently remove dust from the casing, for example with a vacuum's soft brush attachment.^[2]