It’s that time of year again. On Sunday, March 11, the clocks go forward, the days get longer and families get an extra precious hour of daylight. Perfect for moms like me who want our kids outside playing as long as possible.

But what you may not know is that Daylight Savings is also a great time to check your smoke alarms to make sure the batteries are fresh.

Did You Know That Having A Working Smoke Alarm Doubles Your Chances Of Surviving A Fire?

For the best protection, install smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside every sleeping area and in every bedroom. Smoke alarms should be mounted high on walls or ceilings and tested monthly.

Check Your Batteries Once A Year

It’s important to replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, even if alarms are wired directly into your home’s electrical system. You may also want to consider installing a smoke alarm that has a 10-year battery for more peace of mind.

Reminder: Smoke alarms don’t last forever. They typically expire after 8-10 years. So if your alarm is more than 10 years old, it’s time to install a new one.