How Often Should Wyomingites Change Their Smoke Detectors?

The air in Wyoming has turned crisp and cold, and even though we may have a warm(ish) day here or there, we're right back to crisp and cold at night. The thermostats have been switched on for your furnace, the fireplaces are lit, and your wood stoves are fired up and putting out warmth.

When you start your day, the safety and concern for your family should be a priority, and the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be moved up your list.

READ MORE: Keep Your Wyoming Family Safe In Emergency Situations

We talked not long ago about the importance of changing the batteries in the detectors a couple of times every year, and even if you do that consistently, experts say that the smoke detector unit itself should be replaced at least every 10 years. It's also recommended that you change the CO2 detector every 7 years.

Why do you need to change the detector, and not just the battery?

Just like all technology, your devices age over time. As the detector ages, the sensors age as well, making the response time to smoke slower and possibly causing false alarms and putting your family in danger.

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How do you know how old your smoke detector is?

Remove the detector from the ceiling or wall, and look for a sticker with a date on the back side of the detector. If there is no sticker, your detector may be older than 1990; you should consider replacing the detector ASAP.

What type of smoke detector should you buy?

There are many brands available at different price points, but they are either ionization or photoelectric. Each type of alarm will detect the type of fire, and since no one can know which kind of fire will start in your home, FEMA suggests purchasing a dual-sensor detector. It's also recommended to get interconnected alarms, so that when one sounds, they all will.

Are smoke detectors expensive?

Prices range from $6 and increase with the type of alarm and the features available. Organizations like the Casper Fire and EMS can help you replace your smoke detector batteries, determine where to place your detectors, and even acquire new detectors through agreements with national service organizations. This program is in place to help residents who may be at risk, such as the elderly and fixed- or low-income residents in Casper.

READ MORE: What Fire Crews Mean When They Say A Fire Is Contained

According to the City of Casper's website, Smoke detector questions and installations, or battery changes, can be scheduled by contacting the Community Risk Reduction Division at 307-235-8222 or directly contacting your neighborhood fire station.