SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/home-a-smoke-cooking

Your smoke alarm sounds while you cook. What should you not do?

Never remove the battery. Use the hush button and clear the air.

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  1. Open a window and press hush
  2. Wave a towel at the alarm
  3. Take the battery out ✔

Why: USFA says never take the battery out while cooking. Open a window or door, press the hush button, wave a towel, or move the alarm several feet from the kitchen.

Huh, didn't know that: USFA calls disabling a smoke alarm or removing its battery a potentially deadly mistake.

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References

Answer: Take the battery out. USFA says never take the battery out while cooking. Open a window or door, press the hush button, wave a towel, or move the alarm several feet from the kitchen.

  1. US Fire Administration: Smoke Alarms www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prepare-for-fire/smoke-alarms
    Never take the battery out of your smoke alarm while cooking!
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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