Test Smoke Alarms, Change Batteries As Daylight Saving Time Begins

Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 13 at 2 a.m., when we spring forward one hour. It will be darker in the morning and lighter in the evening.  As we set our clocks forward, it is time to test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms AND change the batteries.

Roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or working smoke alarms. When smoke alarms should have worked but failed to operate, it is usually because batteries were missing, disconnected, or dead. National Fire Protection Association  (NFPA) provides the following guidelines around smoke alarms:

• Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.
• Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
• Replace the smoke alarm immediately if it doesn’t respond properly when tested.
• Smoke alarms with non-replaceable (long-life) batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, a warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.
• For smoke alarms with any other type of battery, replace batteries at least once a year. If the alarm chirps, replace only the battery. 

For more on smoke alarm safety, check out NFPA’s smoke alarm safety tip sheet (PDF, 219 KB), and new 9-volt battery tip sheet (PDF, 541 KB), which explains the importance of storing and disposing of batteries with care to avoid a fire hazard.