The clocks fell back an hour in the U.S. on Sunday, November 1, and that extra hour of sleep comes with a useful reminder. Many fire departments encourage people to use the twice-yearly time change as a cue to check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
It’s one of the easiest home safety jobs you can do, and most homes can get it done in under an hour with a step stool and a few batteries. Here’s a simple walkthrough.
What you’ll need
- A sturdy step stool or small ladder
- Fresh batteries of the type your alarms use (check the back of each unit)
- A soft brush or the brush attachment on your vacuum
- A pen and paper or a notes app
- A helper, ideally, to listen from other rooms
Step 1: Map your alarms
Walk through your home and note every smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, including any in the basement, hallways, bedrooms and near the garage. Write down where each one is and, if you can see it, the manufacture date printed on the back or side.
While you walk, look for gaps. Common guidance is to have smoke alarms inside and outside sleeping areas and on every level of the home, and carbon monoxide alarms near sleeping areas if you have fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage. Your local fire department or the alarm manufacturer can tell you the recommended placement for your home.
Step 2: Test each alarm
Press and hold the test button on each unit until it sounds. A loud, clear alarm means the sounder and battery are working. If the sound is weak or there’s nothing at all, move on to the battery step.
If your alarms are interconnected, one test may set them all off, which is a good chance to have your helper confirm they can hear it in each bedroom with the door closed.
Tip: warn your household (and pets) before you start. It gets loud.
Step 3: Replace batteries where needed
For alarms with replaceable batteries, swap in fresh ones, then test again. Many people simply replace all of them at once so the whole house is on the same schedule.
Some newer alarms have sealed batteries designed to last the life of the unit. These don’t need battery changes, but they do need replacing as a whole when they reach the end of their life or start chirping.
If an alarm chirps after you’ve changed the battery, check that the battery is seated properly and the compartment is fully closed, and consult the manual.
Step 4: Clean gently
Dust and cobwebs can interfere with sensors. Use a soft brush or vacuum attachment to clean the vents on the outside of each alarm. Don’t spray cleaners or paint on the units, and don’t open the sensor chamber.
Step 5: Check the age
Alarms don’t last forever. Manufacturers generally recommend replacing smoke alarms about every 10 years, and carbon monoxide alarms often have a shorter lifespan, commonly five to seven years, depending on the model. The exact figure is in your alarm’s manual or printed on the unit. If you can’t find a date at all, that’s often a sign it’s time for a new one.
Step 6: Replace or add alarms
Installing a battery-powered alarm is usually straightforward: twist on a mounting plate with two screws, then attach the alarm. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement, such as keeping smoke alarms away from kitchens and bathrooms where cooking smoke or steam can cause false alarms.
Hardwired alarms connect to your home’s electrical system. Unless you’re comfortable working with wiring and have turned off the correct circuit, it’s best to have a qualified electrician replace them.
Step 7: Set a reminder
Write the date on a small label inside each alarm’s battery cover, or put a calendar reminder in your phone for the next clock change in March. Many people also test alarms monthly with a quick press of the button.
The wrap-up
Testing alarms is a small job with a big payoff in peace of mind. Map them, test them, change batteries, clean them and replace any that are past their date. Then enjoy that extra hour of sleep knowing your home’s early-warning system is ready.
Image: Smoke detector (1) by Georg Pik via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain Mark 1.0
