We tend to only think about our smoke alarms a handful of times every year – during daylight savings, when they go off as we burn the toast, and when the batteries are running low.
But after changes made at the end of 2011, all Northern Territory residential properties are required to have a working smoke alarm.
As an owner of a property in Darwin or anywhere in the Territory, you only have to change from ionisation smoke alarms to photoelectric alarms when either your old one stops working, or you rent or sell your home.
The move to photoelectric smoke alarms is due to their ability to detect smouldering fires that are not picked up quite so quickly as the ionisation type of alarm, which is why they are now favoured by fire services around the world.
It is the responsibility of the landlord or seller to ensure that a working smoke alarm is installed when there is a tenancy change in a property or at the time of a renewed lease, and it is up to the tenant during their stay.
You'll find approved smoke alarms in all major hardware stores and retail outlets.