I used to think you just stuck a smoke alarm to the ceiling and called it a day. That was until a fire safety officer pointed out mine was way too close to the bathroom and prone to false alarms. If you want your alarms to actually protect your family, there’s a right way to install and maintain your smoke alarms—and a few mistakes to avoid.
Where to Place Them
Correct placement is crucial. You want alarms close enough to detect danger early, but far enough from kitchens or steamy bathrooms to avoid constant false alerts.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Install within 3 metres of all bedrooms
- One on every floor of the house
- Avoid corners, vents, or direct airflow from fans
- Don’t mount them directly above cooking appliances
I ended up moving two alarms and adding another near the laundry for full coverage.
Interconnected Systems
For larger homes or multi-storey setups, I highly recommend interconnected alarms. Ours are wireless and synced—so when one goes off, they all do.
It means if a fire starts in the garage, we’ll still hear it in the upstairs bedroom.
Battery vs Hardwired
If you're building or renovating, hardwired alarms with a backup battery are ideal. For retrofit jobs, 10-year lithium battery models are an easy, no-fuss option. Either way, you’ll want to test them monthly.
Maintenance Tips
I keep things simple with this checklist:
- Test monthly using the button
- Vacuum annually to remove dust
- Replace every 10 years (check the label for expiry)
- Never paint over a smoke alarm (it blocks the sensors)
After following these habits, I’ve had zero false alarms and full confidence that we’re covered.
Real Peace of Mind
Properly installed smoke alarms aren’t just a safety measure—they’re a mental reset. You stop wondering, “Would I hear it in time?” Because you already know the answer.
