Daylight saving time comes to an end at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 3. The time of year to wind your clocks back an hour is also a good reminder to check your home’s smoke alarms — they’re the best way of notifying you and your family of a fire.
State law requires that battery-operated smoke alarms be replaced every 10 years from the date of manufacture. The devices should also be tested at least once a month.
State law also calls for older smoke alarms to be replaced with new, sealed, long-life battery-powered smoke alarms. Hardwired 120-volt electric smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years with new 120-volt smoke alarms with battery backup to ensure proper and timely operation in a fire.
Homeowners with hardwired smoke alarms should not replace their devices with battery-powered alarms. Fire code-compliant smoke alarms can be purchased at most home improvement stores.
For more information visit www.rockvillemd.gov/firesafety or email Carl Young, city fire marshal, at [email protected].