When you set your clocks back for the end of daylight saving time, take 10 more minutes to test every smoke and carbon monoxide alarm in your house. The County of San Diego recommends the fall time change as a good reminder. California law also has rules about which alarms you can buy and which homes need CO alarms. And if you’re 62 or older and own your home in San Diego County, you can get smoke alarms installed for free.
- Test smoke and CO alarms once a month. The fall and spring time changes are easy reminders.
- Battery-only smoke alarms sold in California are required to have a sealed battery that lasts at least 10 years. When it runs out, replace the whole alarm.
- Homes with gas appliances, a fireplace or an attached garage are required to have carbon monoxide alarms.
- The Burn Institute installs smoke alarms for free for San Diego County homeowners 62 and older.
The 10-minute fall-back safety check
County officials say a full home check takes about 10 minutes. Here’s the list:
- Press the test button on every smoke alarm. If it sounds, the battery is working. If it’s silent or weak, replace the battery or the alarm.
- Test every carbon monoxide alarm the same way.
- Look for the manufacture date on the back of each alarm. Alarms with sealed 10-year batteries should be replaced as a whole unit after 10 years.
- Replace batteries in older alarms that have removable batteries. The County’s guidance is to change them once a year.
- Check the date on your fire extinguisher to make sure it hasn’t expired.
What does California law say about smoke alarms?
California’s Health and Safety Code sets rules for the alarms sold here:
- 10-year sealed battery: Battery-only smoke alarms approved and listed on or after July 1, 2014, must have a nonreplaceable, nonremovable battery that can power the alarm for at least 10 years (Section 13114).
- Date and hush button: Since Jan. 1, 2015, smoke alarms must show the manufacture date, have a spot to write the install date, and include a “hush” feature to silence false alarms (Section 13114).
If you still have an older alarm with a removable 9-volt or AA battery, you don’t have to rip it out while it works. But when it’s time to replace it, the new one will have a sealed battery or be hardwired.
Sealed-battery alarms still need testing every month. “Ten-year battery” doesn’t mean you can forget about it for 10 years.
Do I need a carbon monoxide alarm in my San Diego home?
Probably. Under California Health and Safety Code Section 17926, owners of homes that have any fossil-fuel-burning heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage must install a carbon monoxide device approved by the State Fire Marshal. For existing single-family homes, the deadline was July 1, 2011. For other existing homes, it was Jan. 1, 2013. Where the alarms go and how many you need depends on building standards or the manufacturer’s instructions.
That covers many San Diego homes: a gas stove, furnace or water heater, a wood-burning or gas fireplace, or a garage attached to the house all count.
Where should smoke alarms go?
Fire safety guidance commonly recommends alarms inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home. Hardwired alarms should be installed by a professional.
Free smoke alarms for San Diego seniors
- Program
- Burn Institute Senior Smoke Alarm Program
- Who qualifies
- Homeowners 62 and older in San Diego County
- Cost
- Free, including installation by trained volunteers
- Apply
- Online application, 858-541-7862, or smokealarm@burninstitute.org
The program runs year-round, and appointments are first come, first served, so apply early. If you have a parent or neighbor who qualifies, this is an easy thing to help them sign up for.
Frequently asked questions
When does daylight saving time end in 2026?
Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, at 2 a.m. Clocks go back one hour.
Do smoke alarms in California need 10-year batteries?
Yes, for battery-only alarms. Those listed on or after July 1, 2014, must have a sealed battery that lasts at least 10 years (Health and Safety Code Section 13114).
How often should I test my smoke alarm?
Once a month, according to the County of San Diego. Replace removable batteries once a year, and replace sealed 10-year alarms as a whole unit after 10 years.
Are carbon monoxide detectors required in California homes?
Yes, in homes with a fossil-fuel heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage (Health and Safety Code Section 17926).
Can seniors get free smoke alarms in San Diego?
Yes. The Burn Institute installs them for free for San Diego County homeowners 62 and older. Call 858-541-7862 or apply online.
More from TrulySD: The pre-storm home checklist before winter · Beat the heat at home · California’s new housing laws, explained simply
- County of San Diego: Time change reminder to check for safety
- California Health and Safety Code Section 13114 (smoke alarm standards)
- California Health and Safety Code Section 17926 (carbon monoxide devices)
- Burn Institute: Smoke alarm application
- Fire Safe Council of San Diego County: Senior Smoke Alarm Program
