Hays County Fire Marshal’s Office ‘Fall Back’ Smoke Alarm Test
Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 1 at 2 a.m. – our clocks “fall back” one hour and it will be lighter in the morning. As you set your clocks back, 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. The National Fire Protection Association(NFPA) provides the following guidelines for smoke alarms and also has information about safe disposal of batteries on its website:
- 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.
