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Only working smoke alarms save lives

This smoke alarm campaign is run by Victoria’s fire services (CFA and FRV). It is about ensuring that all Victorians are aware of the importance of having working smoke alarms in their home.

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Why you should have a smoke alarm

In the past decade, Victorian firefighters have responded to more than 30,000 residential fires across the state.

When you’re asleep, you lose your sense of smell. A smoke alarm is your electronic nose. It will alert you if there is smoke from a fire.

A small fire can grow to involve an entire room in just two to three minutes. A smoke alarm provides early warning and time to escape.

Maintaining your smoke alarm

If your smoke alarm is chirping it means the battery is almost flat and needs to be replaced immediately. Replaceable smoke alarm batteries should be changed once a year, or whenever your smoke alarm makes a chirping noise.

All smoke alarm units have a 10-year expiry date, whether it is hard-wired, or battery only operated. At this time, they should all be replaced.

Victorian fire services recommend that you replace old smoke alarms with new ones with 10-year battery life. That way, you won’t need to remember to replace the batteries every year.

We also recommend that you dust your smoke alarms once a year, to avoid dust particles from setting off false alarms.

Smoke alarms in bedrooms

https://www.youtube.com/embed/RNc1VrQ4Deo?autoplay=0&start=0&rel=0

Most fatal house fires start in bedrooms. That’s why Victorian fire services – the Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria - recommend fitting a smoke alarm in every bedroom of your home.

For full protection, smoke alarms should be installed in all bedrooms, hallways and living areas.

Without a smoke alarm, a fire is more likely to damage or destroy your property and cause serious injury or death.

Victorian smoke alarm legislation

Since 1 August 1997, Victorian law states that smoke alarms (complying with Australian Standards AS3786) must be installed in all homes, units, flats and townhouses. It is the responsibility of all owners and landlords to install working smoke alarms.

Homes constructed before 1 August 1997 need only standalone, battery powered smoke alarms. Homes constructed after 1 August 1997 must have smoke alarms connected to 240-volt mains power. These smoke alarms must also have a backup battery installed in the smoke alarm in case there is a loss of power.

Additionally, in homes constructed or largely renovated after 1 May 2014, where there is a need for more than one smoke alarm, all smoke alarms must be interconnected so that if one smoke alarm activates, they all will.

Smoke alarms costs

Cost from:
Good Smoke alarm that may be hardwired or powered by a 9-volt battery.Cons: Yearly battery replacement costs or the need to be wired. $10-$25 each
Better Smoke alarm powered by a 10-year battery in a tamperproof chamber.Pros: The battery will not need to be replaced each year and is sealed for added security. $25-$50 each
Best Wireless interconnected smoke alarms with a 10-year battery.Pros: When one smoke alarm activates, all alarms will sound. $70-$99 each

For more information about the cost and differences of smoke alarms, and what Victoria’s fire services recommend, watch our video below:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZrVDFit8njQ?autoplay=0&start=0&rel=0

Choosing the right Smoke Alarm

View transcript

More information about smoke alarms

For more information regarding smoke alarms, smoke alarm maintenance and fire safety in English and other languages, visit the FRV and CFA websites:

FRV’s Home Fire Safety page on Smoke Alarms

CFA publications and audio files in languages other than English

Updated 14 April 2025

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