When do the clocks change this year?

NIST says daylight saving time ends at 2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday of November. In 2026 that is Sunday, November 1. At 2 a.m. local time the clock goes back to 1 a.m.

How often should I test a smoke alarm?

The U.S. Fire Administration says to test every alarm monthly. The clock change is an easy extra reminder, not a replacement for the monthly test.

How do I know if my smoke alarm is too old?

Look at the back of the alarm for the manufacture date. The U.S. Fire Administration says alarms need to be replaced 10 years from that date. Alarms with a sealed 10 year battery are replaced according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Can I take the battery out when cooking sets it off?

No. The U.S. Fire Administration says never remove the battery. Open a window or door, press the hush button, and wave a towel to clear the air. If it happens often, move the alarm several feet farther from the kitchen.

Can I get a smoke alarm for free?

Possibly. The U.S. Fire Administration says some fire departments offer reduced price or free alarms, and some will install battery alarms at no cost. Call your local fire department's nonemergency number to ask.

Test your smoke alarms when the clocks fall back

Short answerClocks fall back at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Use it as a reminder. Press the test button on every smoke alarm, replace yearly batteries, and replace any alarm that is 10 years past its manufacture date.

Sources checked October 22, 2026. About 2 minutes to read. If this page and an official source disagree, follow the official source.

Why this weekend

Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026, per the rule published by NIST. You are already walking around the house changing clocks. Check the smoke alarms on the same trip.

The U.S. Fire Administration says a smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all.

The 10 minute check

Test every alarm. Press and hold the test button until it sounds. Do this for each alarm in the home.
Check the date. Take the alarm down and read the manufacture date on the back. If it is 10 years old or more, replace the whole alarm.
Change yearly batteries. If the alarm uses a 9 volt battery, replace it at least once a year. Hardwired alarms usually have a backup battery that also needs replacing once a year.
Leave sealed alarms sealed. If the alarm has a nonreplaceable 10 year lithium battery, test it and replace the whole unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Count the rooms. The U.S. Fire Administration says to have alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.

Which kind to buy

There are two basic sensor types, ionization and photoelectric. They detect different kinds of fires. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends having both types, or dual sensor alarms that contain both.

It also recommends interconnected alarms, so when one sounds they all sound. Alarms with strobe lights or vibration are available for people with hearing loss.

Prices listed on the U.S. Fire Administration page start around $6 for a basic ionization or photoelectric alarm and $24 for dual sensor. Your city, county, or state may require a specific type, so check with your local fire marshal.

Only a qualified electrician should install hardwired alarms.

If cooking sets it off

Do not pull the battery. Open a window or door, press the hush button, and wave a towel at the alarm. If it keeps happening, move the alarm several feet away from the kitchen or bathroom.

Free alarms

Some fire departments give out free or reduced price alarms, and some install battery alarms at no cost. Call your local fire department’s nonemergency number and ask.