Daylight Saving Time Ends November 6 - Check Your Smoke Alarms

Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend. As clocks fall back Sunday, November 6, remember to check your smoke alarms.

Working smoke alarms save lives.

Do you have smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area? Do you have smoke alarms installed on every level of your home?

Make sure your smoke alarms aren’t expired. Look at the date of manufacture on the back of each alarm. If your smoke alarms are over 10 years old (i.e., dated before November 1, 2012), they need to be replaced.  Check out this blog article to learn about the different types of smoke alarms: What kind of smoke alarm should I buy?

Take care of your smoke alarms according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Below are some general maintenance tips.

Smoke alarm powered by a nine-volt battery

• Test the alarm monthly.
• Replace the batteries at least once every year.
• Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years.

Smoke alarm powered by a 10-year lithium (or “long-life”) battery

• Test the alarm monthly.
• Since you cannot (and should not) replace the lithium battery, replace the entire smoke alarm according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Smoke alarm that is hardwired into your home’s electrical system

• Test the alarm monthly.
• Replace the backup battery at least once every year.
• Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years. 

Learn more about smoke alarms(PDF, 363KB). Contact us at (310) 253-5925 with questions.