On Sunday March 8^th, Daylight Savings will be in effect from 2:00 am. These days you don’t have to worry too much about it, because so many devices automatically correct themselves to the right time. One thing you’ll need to remember to do is to check your smoke detectors. Why now, and how do you check them? Here’s what you’ll need to know.

Why Daylight Savings?

The clocks change twice a year, when they ‘spring forward’ and ‘fall back’. That makes it perfect for checking your smoke alarms, as this also needs to be done twice a year. If you make it a habit to do this when the clocks change, then you’ll never forget to do it.

You’ll need to change the clocks manually in some areas of your home, such as on your microwave or oven, and in some cars. Fit the smoke alarms into that routine and you’ll never have to worry about them again.

Importance of Maintaining Smoke Detectors

It’s hard to overstate how important it is to check your smoke detectors. They’re your first line of defence against any fire that starts in your home, so you’ve got to ensure that you’re taking good care of them. If you don’t and a fire starts, your smoke detectors may not sound the alarm.

It’s incredibly important they do, as on average you only have 3 minutes to get out of your home when there’s a fire on average. Checking your smoke detectors twice a year is enough to check that they’re still working, and ready to sound the alarm if a fire does occur. Checking them takes seconds, and will quite literally save your life is a fire does occur.

How to Check Smoke Detectors

There are a few steps to checking your smoke detectors, but they won’t take long to do. Get it done on Sunday and you know you’re safe until the fall.

Firstly, you’ll need to remove the cover on your smoke detector. In some cases, the whole detector will twist off the base, so you’ll need to find out how yours work if you haven’t done this before. Once you have the cover off, you’ll want to replace the battery.

Most smoke detectors use 9 volt batteries, but if yours doesn’t you’ll see what kind of battery is in there, and be able to replace it with the right one. It’s a good idea to do this twice a year, as it stops the battery from running down and starting to make the ‘chirping’ sound you may be familiar with.

It’s purposefully annoying, as it alerts you to the fact that the battery is dying. However, you don’t want to deal with it if you don’t have to. Then, close the cover of the smoke detector again, ensuring that it’s back in place securely.

Finally, press the ‘test’ button to see if the detector makes a chirp or beeping sound. If it does, it’s ready to go. It really is as easy as that, so just spend a couple of minutes this Sunday checking your smoke detectors and you’re all set.

Be Smoke Detector Smart

While you’re considering your smoke detectors, now’s the time to think about how many you have. Do you have enough in your home to totally cover it? At minimum, it’s recommended that you have a smoke detector in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on each level of the home. That includes the basement, if you have one.

If you can, set up interconnected smoke detectors. If one of them detects a fire, it will set off all the smoke detectors in the home, alerting you no matter where you are. Also, remember that smoke detectors actually have a shelf life. Much like carbon monoxide alarms, you’ll see that most smoke detectors are good for around 10 years.

If your smoke detector is older than this, then you’ll want to replace it. If you’re doing this, it’s a good idea to upgrade to a newer, lithium ion battery powered device. These are great as you won’t have to worry about the battery for up to a decade. If you do get these detectors, remember to still test them regularly to ensure that they’re working.

Home Fire Prevention and Safety Tips

There are other ways to practice home fire safety and prevention, and now’s a great time to consider them. What else can you do to keep your family safe? Firstly, put together an escape plan in case of fire. If the smoke detectors sound the alarm, how will you get out?

Remember that you may not be able to reach the front door in case of emergency. Put together a plan and run through it with your family. Do they know how to get out, and where to meet up after they have escaped? Look at getting other fire protection equipment for your home, especially in your kitchen.

Fires easily happen there, and you want to be prepared. Fire extinguishers are a good idea to have to hand, as well as fire blankets to smother fires if needed. If you buy this equipment, make sure you know how to use it. Also, ensure you’re checking it regularly to ensure it’s still in working condition.

Finally, work to ensure that you’re preventing fire as much as possible in your home. Take care with your electronics, to avoid an electrical fire happening. Always stay vigilant in the kitchen while cooking, and don’t leave candles burning unattended. The best way to stay safe from fires is to work to prevent them. If you do this, you’ll be at a much lower risk of fire in your home.

When changing your clocks this Sunday, ensure that you’re checking your smoke detectors too. It takes just a few minutes, but it ensures that you’ll always be alerted and safe in the event of a fire. Change out the batteries and test your smoke detector, and you’re done.