First Alert Basic Battery Operated Smoke Alarm - SA303CN3

Super! Basic Smoke Alarm - 04/08/2016
Reviewer: Thomas Bierman
- Easy to install ceiling bracket. - Simple connection of unit to ceiling bracket. - Very easy to change battery. - Uses one D type battery - Super Product

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SA303CN3 - 02/22/2016
Reviewer: JOSE VICENTE CALDERO
VERY GOOD ITEMS.

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check more than the battery - 01/25/2016
Reviewer: abel rivera
you always here check your battery when you change the clock. you should actually check it at least once a month. I changed my smoke detectors because they were over 7 years old. even though they worked they probably are not efficient enough. these came with a nine volt battery and worked as soon as I put them in. I tested by burning some popcorn. works great! WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND

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- 01/21/2016
Reviewer: JOSE VICENTE CALDERO
Good and practical system. It works very well.

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- 12/08/2015
Reviewer: Margarida Ribau
Very good product

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- 11/19/2015
Reviewer: James Bougie
I was very pleased with my purchase.

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- 02/26/2015
Reviewer: Doris Metz
Great service, quick shipping and satisfied with the purchase. Would recommend the product to all who need one.

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- 02/26/2015
Reviewer: Dave McConnel
We have these smoke alarms in our building and have always been pleased with them.We purchased some to pass out to our residents in our village.

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easy to install, exactly what I needed - 02/16/2015
Reviewer: Ellen Reynolds
Exactly the product I was looking for at a very good price.

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- 12/15/2014
Reviewer: JOAN ABRAMS
EASY TO INSTALL. TEST OF ALARM GREAT SOUND

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- 08/23/2014
Reviewer: from seattle
Good product

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First Alert - 01/13/2014
Reviewer: Leon Bolognese
Fairly easy to install and seems to work as promised. The written and illustrated instructions were somewhat lacking in clarity. Yet, I am satisfied I purchased this product at a reasonable price.

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Good basic protection - 11/03/2013
Reviewer: Anonymous
I have one of these alarms in each of the three bedrooms in my house. They work when I press the test button which is important. Batteries are easy to change also. I highly recommend this alarm if you want basic protection without all the bells and whistles.

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- 08/27/2013
Reviewer: Hehua Zheng
Good deal

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East Brunswick - 04/19/2013
Reviewer: Lenore Feldman
Excellent product. Easy to install. Have used this product previously and replaced with the same unit.

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- 08/14/2012
Reviewer: Jack Serena
Great product, replaced units installed for -12- years. Fast shipment & receipt, easy install. Replaced -7-units in one 1 hour. Many thanks.

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- 03/07/2012
Reviewer: Jeffrey Miller
Thanks for your prompt shipment!

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- 08/31/2011
Reviewer: Stephen  Arwine
the items came in fast, faster than we expected. Thanks

Q: How often do you need to change the batteries?

A: Actual battery service life depends on the particular design of your smoke or carbon monoxide alarm and the environment in which it is installed. All kinds of alarm batteries specified in the user's manual are acceptable replacement batteries. Regardless of the manufacturer's suggested battery life, you MUST replace the batteries immediately once the unit starts "chirping" (the "low battery warning"). It is recommended that you change the batteries in your alarms when you change your clocks for daylight saving time. Also consider replacing your current alarms with 10-Year Life alarms that never require a costly battery replacement for the ten year life of the alarm. This 10-Year series is available in smoke, carbon monoxide and combination alarms.

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Q: What is the proper placement of smoke alarms?

A: It is important that you have the proper placement for your smoke alarms. Install your alarms at least 20 feet from appliances like furnaces and ovens, which produce combustion particles. Alarms should be at least 10 feet from high humidity areas like showers and laundry rooms, and at least 3 feet from heat/AC vents. Be sure to install a smoke alarm in each bedroom, one at the top of each stairwell, and one on every level.

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Q: My smoke alarm keeps chirping and beeping. Why does my smoke alarm chirp intermittently?

A: It is likely that the reason your smoke alarm keeps chirping and beeping is that the battery is low. Whenever your smoke alarm keeps chirping, replace the battery immediately.

Other reasons include: It could be a different device or appliance such as a security system, monitor, carbon monoxide alarm, or other device which has a similar low battery or alert signal. Some of the same factors that cause unwanted alarms can cause intermittent alarms: dust and insects in the alarm or power interruptions in hardwired alarms. Improper wiring on AC or AC/DC smoke alarms. AC alarms will chirp every 5 seconds if the interconnect wire is grounded. The orange interconnect wire should NEVER be grounded; it should only be used to interconnect other smoke alarms or compatible devices.

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Q: Why doesn't my smoke alarm sound when I push the test button?

A: It is important that you frequently test your smoke alarms. When you are testing your smoke alarm, there are a number of reasons why the alarm might not sound:

• You may not be holding the test button down long enough. Try holding it down for up to 10 seconds (20 seconds on photoelectric models) .
• Your battery may not be installed properly or snapped all the way in place. Even if the alarm sounded briefly when the battery touched the terminals, you still need to make sure it is snapped securely in place. If the battery is loose, in cannot power the smoke alarm properly. After installing new batteries, be sure to test your smoke detector.
• Your AC power may not be on. AC and AC/DC units will have a power indicator light (red or green) that shines continuously when they are receiving electrical power.
• If you have a 10-Year model, the smoke alarm may not have been properly activated. If the tab broke away before the alarm was activated, you can use a toothpick to move the switch over to test the alarm.

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Q: Why does my smoke alarm go off when I install a battery or turn on the AC power?

A: It is normal for smoke alarms to go off and sound briefly (up to 5-10 seconds) when you install a new battery or when they are powered up. If the alarm continues to go off and no smoke is present, the cause may be one of the following:

• There may be insufficient battery power, try new batteries.
• Problems with voltage or insufficient electrical power (brown out) may cause a continuous weak sounding alarm. For AC or AC/DC models, temporarily disconnect power at the service panel until the brown out is over. If you do not restore the AC power, your smoke alarms cannot warn you of a fire.
• Incompatible warning device. If an incompatible alarm or auxiliary device is linked into a series of AC or AC/DC smoke alarms it may cause the system inadvertently go off.

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Q: My smoke alarm keeps chirping, even with a new battery. What is causing this?

A: There are a number of possible causes for your smoke alarm to keep chirping even with a new battery.

• It is possible that your smoke alarm "silence" button was pushed by mistake. The alarm will now "chirp" once a minute for up to 15 minutes before resetting.
• Are you sure it's the smoke alarm? Funny to ask, but other devices have similar low battery chirps or warning tones.
• Your "new" batteries may not be fresh. If batteries are stored, especially in cold areas like refrigerators, they lose their charge more quickly. Always check the freshness date on the package when buying new batteries. Keep plenty of replacement batteries on hand so that you are sure to always be protected by your smoke alarms.

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Q: I lost my First Alert smoke alarm owner's manual. How can I get a new one?

A: First Alert smoke alarm owner's manuals are available online for download at no cost. Find your alarm in our Smoke Alarms section.

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Q: Why does the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend that home smoke alarms be replaced after 10 years?

A: Smoke alarms have a limited life. Although each smoke alarm and all of its parts have passed many stringent tests and are designed to be as reliable as possible, any of these parts could fail over time. Therefore, you must test the devices weekly. The unit should be replaced immediately if it is not operating properly. The performance of smoke alarms older than 10 years is simply not reliable. To ensure your family's safety, all carbon monoxide and smoke/CO combination alarms need to be replaced every 5-7 years. All smoke alarms need to be replaced every 10 years.

If it's time to replace your alarms, consider the NEW 10-Year Life series and never have to worry about a battery replacement for the life of the alarm.10-Year alarms are available in smoke,carbon monoxide and combination alarms.

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Q: I'm ready to change my alarm battery - what replacement batteries can I use?

A: Check your User's Manual or the nameplate on the back of the alarm. Different smoke detectors & CO alarms use different kinds of batteries - 9V, AA, AAA - it all depends on the particular model you have. Use quality batteries like lithium batteries - having plenty of power is worth any extra cost. Never use rechargeable batteries because they may not always provide a consistent charge.

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