Daylight saving checklist: test your smoke alarms and check the 10-year expiry
Daylight saving reminder: check your smoke alarms today
Why daylight saving is the perfect nudge
Clocks change, routines change, and it’s a neat cue to run quick safety checks at home. Smoke alarms don’t need much attention, but the little you do now makes a big difference later. A five-minute test can save lives and headaches.
Your 5-minute smoke alarm check
Press TEST on every alarm until you hear the loud siren.
If the tone sounds weak, change the backup battery.
Wipe vents with a vacuum brush to clear dust.
Stand in bedrooms and hallways, make sure you can hear the alarm clearly with doors closed.
Note any units that fail to sound or keep chirping, they’re due for replacement.
How to find the expiry date
Smoke alarms aren’t forever. Most have a 10-year service life from the manufacture date stamped on the base or inside the cover. If the stamp says 2015, it’s time to replace. If you can’t find a date, assume it’s due.
What to replace and why
Choose photoelectric alarms, they respond well to smouldering fires from soft furnishings and wiring. Interconnect alarms where practical so, if one sounds, they all sound. Hard-wired with battery backup is ideal. In rentals and newer builds, check your local requirements for placement and interconnection.
Battery, hard-wired, or both
Battery-only models work, but hard-wired with a backup battery gives the best reliability. If you’re upgrading older homes, we often replace like-for-like on the day, then plan wiring and interconnection as a staged step.
Where should alarms go
Place alarms in hallways outside bedrooms, inside bedrooms for extra protection, and on each storey. Avoid kitchens and bathrooms to reduce nuisance alarms. Keep units at least 30 cm from walls and corners, away from ceiling fans and AC vents.
About insurance and compliance
After a fire, assessors often check whether alarms were installed, working, and within their service life. Expired or missing alarms can put a claim at risk, depending on your policy and local rules. Keep things simple, keep alarms in date and tested.
When to call Cable & Connect
• You pressed TEST and an alarm didn’t sound.
• The date stamp shows 10 years or older.
• You want photoelectric, interconnected alarms installed.
• You’re unsure about locations or need a quick compliance check.
• You manage multiple homes and want a tidy, scheduled program.
We test, replace, and label everything, then leave you with a simple map and next check date. We’re based in Greensborough and serve Melbourne’s north and east.