Sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Energizer brand batteries, the program urges you to adopt a simple lifesaving habit: Change all of your Smoke Alarm batteries when you change your clocks back to Standard Time on October 31st.

Protecting your home is simple: Change, Check, Count and Clean!

 Change Your Smoke Alarm Batteries! 

The University Fire Marshal encourages you to change Smoke Alarm batteries at least once each year. An easy way to remember is to change these batteries when you change your clock back to Standard Time each Fall. Replace old batteries with fresh, high quality batteries to keep your Smoke Alarms ready to protect you all year-long.

 Check Your Smoke Alarms! 

After inserting fresh batteries in your Smoke Alarm, make sure the Alarm is working by activating the safety test button. The University Fire Marshal recommends that you test all of your Smoke Alarms at least once each month. If you have any doubt regarding the working condition of a Smoke Alarm, we recommend you replace it.

 Count Your Smoke Alarms! 

In Maryland, you are required by law to have a properly functioning Smoke Alarm outside every sleeping room .

It's best to have at least one working Smoke Alarm on every level of your home, including the basement and family room. To assure optimal protection and avoid false alarms, your Smoke Alarm must be mounted properly. You'll find simple instructions included with every Smoke Alarm you purchase. Should questions remain, we encourage you to visit or contact your Neighborhood Fire Station.

 Clean Your Smoke Alarms! 

Help your Smoke Alarm remain sensitive and ready to protect you by gently using a vacuum cleaner once a month to remove dust and cobwebs. If your Smoke Alarms have been accidentally painted or contaminated, replacement may be necessary.

 Retire your old Smoke Alarms!

Smoke Alarms work every minute of every day. After millions of sensing cycles, they should be retired. Replace your Smoke Alarms with new devices every 10 years.

We hope this simple list of tips from the University Fire Marshal will help keep your family safe. Please remember that fire prevention is your best course of action. We encourage you to learn more about fire and life safety by visiting your Neighborhood Fire Station.