NEW YORK — This weekend marks the end of Daylight Saving Time, with clocks set to turn back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday. As households prepare to adjust their clocks, fire safety officials are reminding residents to use the time change as an opportunity to check and maintain their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.
Fire departments across the country recommend pairing the biannual clock adjustment with essential home safety checks. “If your alarm uses a 9-volt battery, please replace it with a new one,” officials advise, noting that fresh batteries can help ensure alarms function correctly in emergencies.
In addition to replacing batteries, fire safety experts urge homeowners to inspect the manufacture date on each alarm. Smoke and CO alarms that are over 10 years old, whether hard-wired or battery-operated, should be replaced, officials say. Older alarms may lose their sensitivity, reducing their effectiveness in detecting hazardous conditions. Units past the 10-year mark are considered unreliable, according to industry standards.
Fire departments report frequent questions from the public about alarm maintenance and emphasize the importance of functioning alarms as a critical line of defense against fires and carbon monoxide leaks. Properly working alarms can alert occupants early, potentially saving lives in emergency situations.
As the weekend approaches, officials encourage residents to take a few minutes to check their alarms, emphasizing that these small steps could make a significant difference in home safety.