Lithium batteries last 5-10 years, regular 9v alkaline batteries last about 12-18 months. Some sources recommend changing the batteries every 6th month but i personally think that's a bit excessive.
I only have a small 2 room apartment so i just got myself a cheap-ish optical smoke detector with a built in lithium battery. The battery should last 10 years which is how long smoke detectors last before they should be replaced.
You have not experienced this movie until you have watched it in the original Klingon