We usually only hear the smoke detector when someone’s burnt the toast in the kitchen – this can be a helpful reminder that it’s working and performing its job effectively. However, these life-saving devices often go unnoticed, under-serviced or are put in the wrong place, so it is vital to do some checks.

How can you test your home’s smoke detectors? For battery-operated devices, you can simply press the ‘test’ button on the detector. After a few seconds, you should hear a loud, piercing alarm coming from the device. If the sound is faint or there is no sound at all, replace the batteries and check the device again. Test your smoke detectors at least once a month and replace the batteries annually.

Install smoke AND carbon monoxide alarms on EVERY LEVEL in your home (including outside bedrooms, in the basement)