Preventing Tenants From Disabling Smoke Alarms. Suggestions?

[William Coet]

I am seeking suggestions for how to prevent tenants from disabling smoke alarms.  Verbal warnings and statements written into the lease may not be effective.  I've seen plastic bags taped over alarms!!

This is important to me as they can harm others in multifamily settings by disabling them.

[Theresa Harris]

@William Coet  Put wording in your lease.  Also add wording that batteries must be replaced every 6 months by the tenants.

The biggest problem is the placement of smoke alarms and setting them off accidentally when you are cooking.  Do not put them in the kitchen.  During the day, most people are awake and would see or smell the smoke, the problem is when you are sleeping.  Put them in the hallway closer to where the bedrooms are.  That way if you accidentally burn something on the stove while you are cooking, they won't go off.