The end of daylight savings means we fall back an hour on November 6
Autumn has made its first appearances and as we prepare to fall back an hour on November 6, 2022, the experts at First Alert are encouraging Americans to improve home safety. Batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms should be changed every six months, making the beginning and end of Daylight Saving Time the perfect time to do so.
- Replace batteries – Daylight Saving Time is the perfect reminder to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Consider installing alarms equipped with a 10-year battery and forget about battery replacements for the life of the alarm. The risk of dying in a home fire is 55% lower in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or no working alarms, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
- Get properly equipped – Even if you have smoke and CO alarms in your home, you may not have enough to be fully protected. The NFPA recommends installing smoke alarms on every level of the home, including the basement, and inside each bedroom. CO alarms should also be on every level and near each sleeping area.
- Test alarms – All smoke and CO alarms should be tested monthly. Three out of every five home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms, according to the NFPA. Maintaining working alarms is crucial for protecting your home and family.
- Practice an escape plan – It’s important that the whole family knows what to do in the event of a home emergency. According to a study conducted by First Alert, only 43% of Americans report having a home escape plan in place. Once you have an escape plan in place, practice it with every member of the household at least twice per year, making spring and fall Daylight Saving Time the perfect occasions.
