Use the extra hour to check your smoke alarms.
This weekend, Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday. It’s when we gain an extra hour of sleep and additional daylight in the morning. But Daylight Saving Time is also a good time to test your home’s smoke alarms.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or that are without working smoke alarms. When smoke alarms should have worked but failed to operate, it is usually because batteries were missing, disconnected or dead.
Here are some recommended guidelines for smoke detectors:
- 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 regular batteries, replace those batteries at least once a year. If the alarm chirps, replace only the battery.
For other fire safety tips, check out this fire prevention blog post, or visit the NFPA’s website for even more information about home smoke detectors.
