Check those smoke alarms this weekend
When changing the clocks this weekend, check the batteries in the smoke detector, too.
That’s the recommendation of the American Red Cross, which has reported more people died in home fires in Pennsylvania than any other state last year.
We shared this information earlier this week in an article by Sol McCormick, who explained that the American Red Cross hopes to help fight back against that statistic in 2026 by installing smoke alarms in homes for free.
The article directs people to request a free smoke alarm installation by visiting SoundTheAlarm.org/GreaterPA.
This weekend, in accordance with daylight saving time, clocks move ahead one hour on Sunday.
And whether its Saturday evening or Sunday morning that you change the time displayed on the stove, microwave and any clocks hanging on the walls of your home, it’s worth it to add just one more task to the to-do list.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends the following for smoke alarms:
- Those with nonreplaceable 10-year batteries are intended to last 10 years. However, check them, and if there’s ever any “chirps” indicating a low battery, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.
- Alarms with any other type of battery need a new battery at least once per year. If that alarm “chirps” to signal a low battery, replace the battery right away. Otherwise, change the battery once per year.
- When replacing a battery, follow the manufacturer’s list of batteries on the back of the alarm to ensure it works properly.
No one ever thinks a home fire will happen to them. The alarms installed at our homes are designed to protect us, but they can only do their jobs if they are maintained.
While the need for daylight saving time will likely continue to be debated for years to come, we think there’s one good thing for certain about this weekend. It’s a jarring enough reminder in our daily lives to do something like check a smoke alarm, which otherwise could be forgotten.
— TL
