Fall Back: Clock Change Safety Tips from Loudoun County
As the clocks fall back this Sunday, November 3, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue is urging all residents to make a quick check of their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. The clock change is the perfect time to ensure your home is equipped with working alarms, a critical measure to protect your family and property.
Why Alarm Maintenance Matters
A functional smoke alarm can alert you and your family to smoke or fire hazards 24/7, providing essential protection even while you’re asleep. According to Keith Johnson, Chief of the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System (LC-CFRS),
“Smoke alarms are the first line of defense in alerting a person to the presence of smoke and fire in the home. It’s critical that these life-saving devices are tested frequently to ensure they work when you need them most.”
Maintenance Tips for Smoke Alarms
Ensuring your smoke alarm is in working order doesn’t take long, but it can make all the difference in an emergency. Here’s how to maintain them:
- Test alarms monthly: Press the test button to ensure the alarm sounds properly.
- Replace batteries yearly: Standard smoke alarms require a new battery once a year. If your alarm chirps, signaling low battery, replace it immediately.
- 10-year alarms: Alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to work for a decade, after which the entire alarm should be replaced.
- Check expiration dates: All smoke alarms, whether battery-operated or hardwired, need complete replacement every 10 years.
CO Alarm Safety: What You Should Know
Carbon monoxide, often called the “invisible killer,” is an odorless, colorless gas produced when fuels like gas, wood, or charcoal burn incompletely.
Installing CO alarms outside each sleeping area and on every home level adds another layer of safety, especially during colder months when heating systems are in use.
Maintaining CO Alarms
- Test CO alarms monthly.
- Replace batteries as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- If a CO alarm doesn’t respond correctly when tested or has reached the manufacturer’s expiration date, replace it without delay.
Alarm Type |
Location |
Maintenance Frequency |
Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke Alarm | Every level, inside/outside bedrooms | Monthly test, annual battery replacement | Every 10 years |
| CO Alarm | Every level, outside sleeping areas | Monthly test, battery as per manufacturer | As per manufacturer’s lifespan |
Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Services
For residents of Loudoun County, the Fire and Rescue department offers free home safety assessments, which include smoke alarm testing and installation if needed. To book an appointment, call the safety hotline at 703-737-8093 or visit the Loudoun County website.
Additional Safety Resources
Creating and practicing a home escape plan is essential. This plan helps ensure everyone knows what to do if an alarm goes off. For more fire safety tips and assistance with escape plans, residents can reach out to the LC-CFRS or visit their website for detailed information.
This weekend, make the most of the clock change by taking a moment to test your alarms. This small step could save lives and protect what matters most.
Sources: THX News & Loudoun County.
