Everything ages as the months and years pass, no matter how hard we wish that were not the case. This fact applies to every smoke and CO2 detector battery, for two reasons we cannot wish away. And even if the device never sounds an alarm, its energy will still fail as it gradually discharges. This is why it is a good idea to change the battery annually.
‘Annually’ Needs Defining with Smoke and CO2 Detector Batteries
Digital clocks on portable radios, phones and so on automatically reset when daylight saving begins, and ends. Unfortunately our fire alarm devices are not sufficiently advanced to warn us a smoke and CO2 detector battery anniversary is coming up. And so our protection forgetfully weakens as the battery runs down.
Clearly, we need to make a diary note somewhere. But these can be easy to miss as physical diaries grow smaller, or we forget to save an update. Remembering to change our detector batteries on Christmas Eve is one possibility, but there are so many other things happening, on that day.
When Smoke Detector Anniversaries Become Critical
Scripps Local Media confirms vital information on KTVQ News provided by National Fire Protection Association. This data includes:
- The risk of dying … in home fires is 55% lower in homes with working smoke alarms.
- About 41% of all home fire deaths occurred in properties without a working alarm.
Those ratios become even more important when we consider that 2,840 Americans died as a result of house fires in 2021. Annual daylight saving ended in North America on November 6, 2023. Please check your smoke and CO2 detector batteries as soon as you can, and every year after that when daylight saving ends.
More Information
Daylight Saving Ending – Check Smoke Alarms
