DIMove-in safety checklist
Smoke & CO Detector Checklist for New Homeowners
Do not inherit the previous owner’s detector schedule by guesswork. A move-in inventory gives your household a known starting point.
Map every alarm
Walk every bedroom, hallway, level, basement and attached-garage-adjacent area. Record smoke alarms, CO alarms and combination units separately.
Read every date and model
Note the manufacture or replace-by date and photograph the model label. Unknown-age smoke alarms should not be assumed new because the cover looks clean.
Test and inspect
Use the test button according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Look for paint, damage, missing batteries, open battery drawers and disconnected units.
Create the next reminder
Set monthly test reminders and record the replacement year. If the inventory reveals gaps, expired alarms or an incompatible mixed system, call Detector Inspectors for a whole-home visit.
Safety references
Primary sources used for this page:
Manufacturer instructions and current local requirements control. For an emergency, call 911.