What is an easy way to remember to check your smoke alarms and change the batteries? Check and test your smoke and fire detectors when you change your clocks for Daylight Saving Time. We “spring forward” on March 9, so make a note!

Smoke alarms throughout your home help play a crucial role in keeping you and your family safe by alerting you to potential dangers. However, the best smoke detectors provide no value if they do not have working batteries! It is important to check and test home smoke detectors often and replace the batteries to ensure the detectors are working properly.

Hardwired detectors that have a sealed battery do not need to be changed every 6 months, but the detectors must be replaced every 10 years. Every detector has a date of manufacture stamped on them. After 10 years the sensors that detect smoke and carbon monoxide may not be as effective as they once were.

If you notice a high-pitched chirping noise coming from your alarm then it is time for the batteries to be changed. It is best to be proactive and change the batteries in your smoke detectors before that noise occurs.

When you change the batteries in one alarm, make sure you change the batteries in the rest of the alarms in your home as well.

~ Chief Michael Gamache