Daylight Saving Time is upon us once again, and as we go to change our clocks, firefighters are reminding us to check on some other vital equipment in our homes. 

Firefighters say smoke detectors provide the first line of defense against a fire, and they say now is the time to make sure yours are working.

What You Need To Know

  • As Daylight Savings is upon us once more, fire chiefs are reminding us to use the opportunity to inspect home safety mechanisms, as well

  • Batteries in smoke detectors die over time, and even smoke detectors themselves can deteriorate if not regularly serviced

  • A law passed two years ago requires smoke detectors have batteries with 10 year life spans if detectors are not installed straight into homes

  • The Ithaca Assistant Fire Chief also reminds home owners to have a clear exit plan in place in case of a fire, as well

We change our clocks twice a year, and that's the bare minimum of how often we should be testing our smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 

Over time, the batteries in those devices can die, or the devices themselves can start to break down, and that can be dangerous. A state law went into effect two years ago that requires new detectors to have a non-removable ten year battery, or be hardwired into the home.

Whether your detectors were installed before or after that law, they should have an expected lifespan printed on the back of it, so make sure you are looking at that to know when it's time to get a new one. It's also smart to keep a timeline written on the device itself of when you are checking it just to be sure you're keeping up with it.

Speaking with a fire chief, he says the equipment is massively important, but it's also smart to take a few minutes and discuss a safety plan in case an emergency happens. Smoke detectors can tell you there's danger, but knowing what to do when that danger comes is even better. 

"Taking care of your family is your responsibility and getting out when there's an emergency is the first step. Getting others out is the second step, and the best way to do that is the early notification from your smoke detectors, keeping your house clean, and your exits accessible," said Ithaca Assistant Fire Chief Tom Basher.

Chief Basher talked about keeping exits clear and accessible, and that's an important point. Any exterior door should be able to open without being blocked, and some older homes can have windows that don't open easily, making sure those are taken care of can make a huge difference in an emergency.