Your smoke alarm might beep loudly when you hit the test button. But that doesn't mean it will sound off in a fire.
10 years old--that's when firefighters said you must replace your smoke alarm. Firefighters said the smoke sensor can fail after 10 years, even if you replace your batteries.
The video above shows Pasco Fire Department’s Ben Shearer comparing a new and old smoke detector. Don’t attempt to test your detector like this at home.
“This is what's going to give you that warning that something is wrong in the house,” Shearer said. “It will give everybody a chance to get out before you get overcome by the smoke.”
So while you’re changing your clocks over daylight savings time, remember to replace your smoke alarm batteries.
And while you're doing that, check the manufacturing date. If it's older than 10 years, replace the alarm altogether.