It’s that time of year to set your clocks forward at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 10. Changing your clocks is the perfect time to remember to change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
The New Mexico State University Fire Department encourages you to check your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors every month to ensure they are in proper working condition. If you don’t have these in your home off campus, we strongly advise you to invest in these items.
Smoke alarms
- A continued set of three loud beeps — beep, beep, beep — means smoke or fire. Get out, call 911, and stay out.
- A single “chirp” every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed.
- All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years.
- Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced.
Carbon monoixde (CO) alarms
- A continuous set of four loud beeps — beep, beep, beep, beep — means carbon monoxide is present in your home. Go outside, call 911 and stay out.
- A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be replaced.
- CO alarms also have “end of life” sounds that vary by manufacturer. This means it’s time to get a new CO alarm.
- Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced
Always notify the fire department in case of emergency and when your smoke detector is activated. Call 911.