This weekend we will get an extra hour of sleep! Gotta turn back clocks for Daylight Saving Time. This is a great time to check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and change their batteries, if needed.
Why It Matters
- Lifesaving habit: Fresh batteries ensure your smoke and CO detectors work immediately in an emergency.
- Twice-a-year routine: Use the springtime change (moving clocks forward) and fall time change (moving clocks back) as your calendar reminders.
- Check expiration dates: Most smoke detectors last about 10 years. Look at the back of the unit to find the manufacturing date and replace the entire device if it is older than a decade.
Quick Safety Checklist
- Test monthly: Press the test button on every alarm once a month to verify power and speaker function.
- Replace standard batteries: Traditional alkaline 9-volt batteries drain steadily over time and need to be replaced at least once a year. Otherwise, you could upgrade to units with 10-year lithium batteries if available.
- Placement: Install alarms inside each bedroom, outside every sleeping area, and on every level of the house, including the basement.
Learn more at American Red Cross