Daylight saving time ends in early November, and many fire safety organizations use the clock change as a reminder to check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. It takes only a few minutes, and it is one of the simplest ways to look after your household.
This guide is general and follows common recommendations. Follow the manufacturer instructions for your alarms, and call a licensed electrician for hardwired alarm problems or new installations.
Test Every Alarm
Press the test button on each alarm and listen for the sound. If the alarms are interconnected, all of them should sound when one is tested. If an alarm does not respond, replace its battery if it uses one. If it still does not work, replace the alarm.
Make sure everyone in the home, including children and guests, knows what the alarm sounds like and what to do when it goes off.
Batteries and Dates
Some alarms use sealed batteries that last the life of the unit. Others use batteries that should be replaced as the manufacturer directs. Chirping is a signal that a battery is low or that the unit has reached end of life.
Look at the date on the back of each alarm. Fire safety organizations generally say that smoke alarms should be replaced after about ten years, and CO alarms often have a shorter life, so check the label. Write the replacement date on the alarm or in your calendar.
CO Alarms in Heating Season
Carbon monoxide is an invisible gas produced when fuels burn, and heating season means furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and generators are in use. CO alarms should be placed as the manufacturer and local requirements direct, commonly outside sleeping areas and on each level.
- If a CO alarm sounds, get everyone outside to fresh air and call emergency services.
- Do not run a generator or grill in a garage or near a window or door.
- Have fuel-burning appliances and chimneys serviced by qualified professionals.
Hardwired Alarms and Interconnection
Hardwired alarms are connected to the home wiring with a battery backup. Replacing them involves working on household wiring, so a licensed electrician should do it. If your alarms are old, or a mix of different brands, it may be worth replacing them as a set so that they are compatible and interconnected. Our smoke detector page describes this work.
Landlords and Managers
If you manage rental or commercial space, the clock change can be a trigger for a routine check across units or tenant spaces. Keep a record of what was tested and when, and follow local requirements about alarms and notices. See our commercial services and residential services pages.
Make It a Habit
Tie alarm checks to something you already do twice a year, such as changing clocks, and add a monthly test to your calendar. A simple routine is more reliable than good intentions. If an alarm is missing from a bedroom or a level of your home, add one, and ask your electrician about interconnected options.
Include Guests and Visitors
If you host holiday gatherings, make sure guest rooms have working alarms too, and tell visitors where the exits are and what the alarms sound like. Avoid sleeping areas where an alarm has been removed or is dead. Fire safety groups also suggest keeping bedroom doors closed at night, since a closed door can slow the spread of smoke and fire, though you should follow the advice of your local fire department.
Quick Reference for the Clock Change
A short checklist is easy to remember: test each alarm, check the date, replace batteries as directed, look at where alarms are placed, and review your escape plan. If something is missing or out of date, make a plan to fix it within a few days rather than waiting for the next reminder.
Talk With a Licensed Electrician
Not sure your alarms are up to date? A licensed electrician can test your system, replace old units, and add alarms where they are missing.
To discuss your project, visit our contact page or call McDaniel Electrical Construction at (410) 303-8453.