{"id":9585,"date":"2017-11-03T07:05:29","date_gmt":"2017-11-03T11:05:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/?p=9585"},"modified":"2024-01-08T09:23:00","modified_gmt":"2024-01-08T14:23:00","slug":"time-to-change-smoke-carbon-monoxide-detector-batteries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.diycontrols.com\/index.php\/time-to-change-smoke-carbon-monoxide-detector-batteries\/","title":{"rendered":"Time to Change Your Smoke & CO Detector Batteries"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you live in a state that observes Daylight Saving Time (DST)*, you probably know it will come to an end in 2017 on Sunday, November 5 at 2 a.m. For many of us, the old saying spring ahead, fall back <\/strong>reminds us whether we need to move our clocks ahead or back an hour (this time of year we turn them back and return to Standard Time.)<\/p>\n

Changing the clocks when DST starts and ends also serves as a reminder to change the batteries in your \"\"smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. <\/strong>This is thanks to the Energizer Battery Company’s very successful Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery\u00c2\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>campaign <\/b><\/span><\/span>which has been encouraging us to change the batteries twice a year since it was launched in 1987.<\/p>\n

While this certainly seems like great advice, is it really necessary to change the batteries that often? What about backup batteries if your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are hard wired? We’ve got answers to these and other important questions about how to<\/strong> choose and maintain these life-saving devices.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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How often should you change the batteries in your smoke and CO detectors?<\/em><\/h2>\n

Estimated battery life in a smoke or carbon monoxide (CO) detector can vary greatly based on battery type<\/a><\/strong> and brand, the environment where the alarm is installed and alarm usage. For example, a battery-powered free-standing smoke detector that has gone off a couple of times in a year will experience significantly shortened battery life, as will the backup battery in a hard-wired CO alarm that is drained every time there is a power outage. There’s really no good way to know how much battery life is left.<\/p>\n

Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries<\/strong><\/a> offer a convenient option for those who prefer an alarm with a prolonged lifespan. The battery is sealed inside the detector, ensuring a decade’s worth of uninterrupted and tamper-proof protection. The alarm issues an end-of-life warning indicating that it’s time to replace the entire device.<\/p>\n

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What are some general guidelines for maintaining smoke alarms?<\/em><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/em>To protect your family and home, it’s critical that you make sure your smoke alarms are working properly and the batteries are fresh. The National Fire Protection Association<\/a><\/strong> (NFPA) recommends following these guidelines:<\/p>\n