The final phase of Maryland’s revised smoke detector law requiring homeowners to replace their older-style removable battery detectors with the newer sealed-in battery detectors went into effect on January 1, 2018. For more information about this law, click here. The law originally went into effect in 2013 and outlines a phased-in approach that started with new construction. The final phase affects all smoke detectors in all homes. The sealed battery detectors do not require or allow battery replacement or removal. After 10 years, just replace the whole detector. The newer style detectors have a “hush” feature that will allow the alarm to be temporarily silenced if activated by non-emergency situations, such as cooking.
Smoke detectors do save lives.
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home.
- Test your smoke alarms every month.
- When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside, call 911 and stay outside.
- Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years
For further information about the different types of smoke detectors and how and where to install them, visit the United States Fire Administration web site by clicking here.
