An official website of the United States government         Here's how you know         
**Official websites use .mil**
A **.mil** website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
**Secure .mil websites use HTTPS**
 A **lock (lock )** or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Skip to main content (Press Enter).

Defense Logistics AgencyThe Nation's Combat Logistics Support Agency

Search
Search

Search

-  Home		 
-  What DLA Offers    -  Excess Property Disposal             
  -  Document Services             
  -  Products             
  -  Services             
  -  Programs 
-  Working With DLA    -  Applications             
  -  Small Business             
  -  Federal and International Cataloging             
  -  Defense Data Standards             
  -  Events             
  -  Procurement Policies             
  -  Government Programs             
  -  Forms 
-  Organizations    -  DLA Headquarters             
  -  DLA Aviation             
  -  DLA Disposition Services             
  -  DLA Distribution             
  -  DLA Energy             
  -  DLA Land and Maritime             
  -  DLA Troop Support             
  -  DLA CENTCOM & SOCOM             
  -  DLA Europe & Africa             
  -  DLA Indo-Pacific 
-  Customer Support    -  Self Help Tools             
  -  How to Order             
  -  Find Your Order             
  -  Customer Facing Offices             
  -  Training             
  -  Brochures             
  -  Warfighter Support             
  -  Customer Service Management 
-  Careers		 
-  About DLA    -  Contact Us             
  -  Locations             
  -  Leaders             
  -  News             
  -  History             
  -  Media Gallery             
  -  DLA Campaigns 

HomeAbout DLANewsNews Article View

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

# Fall Back: Change your clocks, batteries during daylight saving time

By Eric Crognale, Fire Inspector, DLA Installation Management Richmond

                RICHMOND, Va.  –              
Daylight saving time is Nov. 1. As you move your clocks back an hour, don’t forget to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and other home safety devices.

Having a working smoke detector can mean the difference between life and death. The death rate is twice as high for home fires where the smoke detectors are either absent or not working, according to a 2019 report by National Fire Protection Association researcher Marty Ahrens. A smoke detector cannot operate without working batteries, so this daylight saving time is an excellent opportunity to remind yourself to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors at home. In addition, you should test them at least once per month so you know if batteries need to be replaced.

The National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72) requires that a working smoke detector be installed in every room used for sleeping and outside every sleeping area, as well as on every level of the home including the basement. Install new smoke detectors either on the ceiling, or on a wall within 12 inches (30cm) of the ceiling. Understand that smoke rises to the highest point of the ceiling and then builds downward. The lower your smoke detectors, the longer it will take for the smoke to reach the sensor to activate the alarm.

If you have any appliances in your home that use wood or natural gas for fuel, you should have at least one carbon monoxide (CO) detector. Like the smoke detectors, you should also change the batteries in your CO detector at least once per year.

Let daylight saving time serve as a reminder that when you change your clocks, also change your batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. A few minutes could save your life.

**                    SHARE                

**                    PRINT                

Defense Supply Center RichmondsafetyDaylight Saving TimeDLA Installation Management RichmondChange your Batteries