With the start of daylight saving time this weekend (2 a.m. Sunday, March 14), make sure you replace smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm batteries and test the alarms. The Seattle Fire Department recommends replacing batteries yearly or as needed.
Changing smoke and CO alarm batteries at least once a year is an effective way to reduce home fire deaths and CO poisoning. Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by nearly one-half by providing an early warning and critical extra seconds to escape. Consider installing a long-life battery powered smoke/CO alarm to avoid yearly battery replacements.
Every home in Seattle should have the protection of smoke/CO alarms. Due to Covid-19, our free smoke/CO alarm program is on hold. But if you would like to see if you qualify and get on a wait list, fill out an online form. The Seattle Fire Department can install 10 year long-life combination smoke/CO alarms free of charge in Seattle homes where the homeowner is either an older adult, living on a low income, or has a disability.