Springing forward safely: Change your clocks, check your batteries

FASNY reminds New Yorkers to do regular fire alarm inspections and practice fire safety ahead of daylight savings

Submitted by the Firefighters Association of the State of New York

With daylight saving time just around the corner, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) is calling on all New Yorkers to take a few minutes to test the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. When clocks move forward one hour on Sunday, March 8, it's the perfect moment to make sure every home is protected with properly functioning life-safety devices.

This call to action comes with urgency. New York has already recorded 22 civilian fire fatalities in 2026 – a reminder of the devastating toll house fires take on communities across the state. Roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. A functioning smoke detector can mean the difference between life and death, providing residents with the critical early warning they need to escape safely.

Smoke detectors with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are effective for up to 10 years, however, if you hear the alarm chirping, they should be immediately replaced. Smoke detectors with any other type of battery should be replaced at least once a year. If you have smoke detectors with replaceable batteries, also be sure to check the expiration date on the device – usually found on the back of the detector. Smoke detectors typically have a functional lifespan of 10 years.

Nearly half of all U.S. home heating equipment fires (46%) occur between December and February, especially as we rely on external heating sources such as space heaters and chimneys. Heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. It is important to also check carbon monoxide detectors, as it is a colorless, odorless gas that can be lethal.

Daylight saving time marks the unofficial start of spring and, along with checking your detectors, FASNY encourages residents to use this moment to kick off a thorough spring cleaning. Accumulated dust and built-up grime in the home aren't just unsightly, they can act as ignition sources that fuel a fire. Clearing out clutter, cleaning around appliances, and removing debris from high-heat areas like dryer vents and stovetops are all meaningful steps toward a safer home.

Please see some additional tips provided by FASNY and the National Fire Protection Association below:

•Install smoke detectors at every level of your home. This includes the inside and outside of bedrooms and sleeping areas.

•Ensure that you follow a manufacturer’s list of specific batteries to be used on smoke alarm models on the back of the alarm or manufacturer’s instructions. The smoke alarm may not work properly if a different kind of battery is used.

•A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.

•People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.

•Choose a CO alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height.

•CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of homes. Test alarms at least once a month. 

•Practice a two-minute escape plan and ensure that everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes. Include at least two ways to get out of every room, and select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home.

•Dust smoke detectors to keep them free of debris that can interfere with their operation.

•Home appliances should be cleared of dust and grime that has collected on them as well as their electrical cords. Grease should be removed from the outside of kitchen appliances with a slightly damp rag.

More about FASNY: Founded in 1872, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) represents the interests of the 80,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel in New York. For more information, visit www.fasny.com.