Alarm battery check in Crediton

### That Beeping At 3am

You know the one. The smoke alarm that decides its battery is dying **exclusively in the middle of the night**. Then you're stumbling around in the dark trying to work out which alarm it is and whether you've got a 9V battery anywhere.

Or worse - you're not sure the last time anyone checked them, and you're vaguely aware they might all be expired.

> 💡 **Pro tip:** Most people don't know smoke and CO alarms have expiry dates. A 12-year-old smoke alarm might beep when you test it, but it's not protecting your family - the sensor's degraded.

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### Why This Matters

Alarm batteries aren't like TV remote batteries. **When these fail, people die.** Bit dramatic, but it's true.

| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Neglected | |--------------|--------------| | All alarms tested and working | Beeping ignored for weeks | | Fresh batteries installed | "I'll do it tomorrow" for 6 months | | Expired alarms identified and replaced | 15-year-old alarm still on ceiling | | Dated record of when checked | No idea when they were last tested | | Family actually protected | False sense of security |

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### What Gets Checked

**🔍 Full Alarm Audit**

| Alarm Type | What I Check | |-----------|--------------| | **Smoke alarms** | Test button, expiry date, battery condition | | **CO alarms** | Test function, expiry, sensor status | | **Heat detectors** | Usually kitchen - test and battery | | **Burglar alarm** | Panel battery, keypads, sensors |

**🔋 Battery Replacement** I change any weak batteries and note which type each alarm needs (so you know for future).

**📅 Expiry Check** Most alarms last 10 years. If yours are older, I'll advise replacement and can fit new ones while I'm there.

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### Common Alarm Problems

**The Midnight Beep** Low battery warning. Always happens at night because that's when the house is coldest and batteries test weakest.

**False Alarms** Often means the alarm is dying or positioned wrong (like too close to the bathroom steam).

**Can't Reach Them** Landing ceiling alarms are often stupidly high. I bring proper ladders and stepladders.

**Burglar Alarm Panel** The battery in the control box needs changing every 3-4 years or it'll start beeping warnings at you.

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### Pricing Guide

| Service | Estimated Time | You'll Pay | |---------|----------------|------------| | Basic check (up to 5 alarms) | 30 mins | **£60** | | Full house check (6-10 alarms) | 45 mins | **£60** | | Plus new alarm fitting | Add 15 mins each | **+£25 per alarm** |

*Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Batteries and new alarms charged at cost.*

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### Perfect If...

✅ **You've got the midnight beep** - find it and fix it

✅ **Not sure when alarms were last checked** - peace of mind audit

✅ **Just moved in** - no idea how old the alarms are

✅ **Alarms are ridiculously high** - can't reach them safely