With Daylight Saving Time ending, we get the chance to enjoy an extra hour of sleep, but there’s more to this biannual event than just adjusting our clocks. As you fall back (or spring forward) in time, consider it a perfect opportunity to keep your home safe by checking your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.
Time change days are memorable markers, making it easy to establish this habit without any extra reminders. Plus, as these changes happen when temperatures are cooling off or warming up, people are more likely to start using heaters or fireplaces, which can increase the risk of CO buildup. This makes it even more critical to ensure that CO detectors are functioning as they should.
Why Test Your Smoke and CO Detectors?
Smoke and CO detectors are essential for the safety of your household, providing early warnings that can save lives in the case of fire or carbon monoxide leaks. A functional smoke detector can alert you to a fire before it spreads, while a CO detector will detect harmful carbon monoxide gas, which is invisible and odorless, making it impossible to detect without a monitor.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends testing smoke alarms at least once a month, but we often forget in the daily hustle. By pairing the time change with these checks, you’re helping to establish a routine that ensures your detectors are ready to perform their life-saving duties.
How to Test Your Detectors During Time Changes
- Locate Your Detectors: Start by locating all the smoke and CO detectors in your home. They should be installed in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every floor, including the basement.
- Test for Functionality:
- Press the test button on each detector until it sounds the alarm. This confirms the battery and alarm system are working.
- For interconnected smoke detectors, make sure each one triggers the others, ensuring complete coverage in an emergency.
- Change Batteries if Needed:
- Some detectors come with replaceable batteries, while others have a sealed battery that lasts the life of the detector.
- For replaceable battery models, swap out the old batteries every six months. Daylight Saving Time changes are the perfect reminder!
- Check the Manufacture Date:
- Smoke detectors have a 10-year lifespan, while CO detectors typically last 5 to 7 years.
- Look at the back of each device for the manufacture date, and replace any that are nearing their expiration.
- Dust and Clean: Dust buildup can affect detector sensitivity, so take a moment to wipe down the detectors gently to keep them functioning at their best.
Additional Safety Tips
- Set Reminders: Use your phone or a calendar app to set biannual reminders for each time change, so you’ll remember to test your detectors consistently.
- Install Dual Detectors: Consider dual smoke and CO detectors if your home isn’t equipped with both types. They combine both functions into one device and offer the same level of safety in a more compact design.
Taking a few minutes each time the clocks change to test and maintain your smoke and CO detectors can go a long way in protecting your home and loved ones.
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