Daylight saving time ends this weekend, prompting safety reminder to check smoke alarms
smoke detector or household fire alarm at home

Daylight saving time ends this weekend, prompting safety reminder to check smoke alarms

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1 min read
November 1, 2024

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.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

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