ORGANIZING YOUR PROGRAM
Stock Tools and Supplies for Alarm Installation
Plan ahead so the crew conducting the home safety visit has appropriate tools for installation of alarms. This is a basic list of tools that will be needed.
- Small two-step safety ladder (this will be fine for most installations, and it is light and easy to handle)
- Six-foot-tall step ladder for higher ceilings
- Charged cordless drill with proper bits
- Extra charged battery for the drill
- 1-1/4-inch drywall screws
- Tip: Using drywall screws instead of the anchors and screws supplied with the alarm will cut installation time in half, leaving more time with the residents.
- Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
- Box knife
- Small hammer
- Pliers
- 10-foot measuring tape
- Small flash light
- Supply of batteries for the equipment you are installing
- Extra batteries for existing smoke alarms if appropriate*
- Marking pen (to write the date of installation on the inside of the alarms)
- Trash bags (to remove all of the smoke alarm and alert equipment packaging)
- Small handheld vacuum to clean up any sheetrock dust
- Clipboard and pen for documentation
- Stock tools and supplies for alarm installation
- Safety handouts
- Forms, electronic tablet (i.e. iPad) or other means of recording the visit
*It is preferable to install new smoke alarms with new sealed long-life alarms rather than replacing batteries in smoke alarms already in the home. Remember smoke alarms must be replaced every 10 years. You may not know the age of a smoke alarm in a home so install new ones. With the exception of the ladders, all the tools will fit easily into a small toolbox. Having all the tools needed at your disposal will make smoke alarm installation more efficient and allow more education time with the resident.