CFR Encourages Testing of Smoke Alarms as Daylight Saving Time Ends

Published on November 02, 2021

CHEYENNE – Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, November 7^th, when we fall back and move our clocks back one hour. With the end of daylight saving time, Cheyenne Fire Rescue (CFR) recommends testing your smoke alarms.

“Roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms, or no working smoke alarms. When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries were missing, disconnected, or dead,” said John Kopper, Chief for Cheyenne Fire Rescue.

CFR provides the following guidelines for smoke alarms:

• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or older
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button
• Replace the smoke alarm immediately if it doesn’t respond properly when tested
• Make sure everyone in the building knows and reacts to the sound of the smoke alarm
• Have a meeting place and a plan once the alarm sounds
• Smoke alarms with nonreplaceable (long-life) batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, a warning the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm immediately
• For smoke alarms with any other type of battery, a chirping alarm needs to be tested and checked. It could simply indicate a failing battery

For more information, call Cheyenne Fire Rescue at 307-637-6311.

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