Longer days are finally on the horizon for Saint John. As you prepare to move your clocks forward for Daylight Saving Time this Sunday, March 8, 2026, local fire officials want you to add one more task to your weekend to-do list: change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

A Simple Habit Saves Lives

The Saint John Fire Department emphasizes that a working alarm acts as your first line of defense during a house fire. The most common reason these devices fail isn’t mechanical error—it is missing or dead batteries. With many home fire fatalities occurring overnight while residents sleep, a functioning alarm provides the critical seconds you need to escape safely.

Your Spring Safety Checklist

While adjusting your clocks, take ten minutes to run through this home safety refresh.

1. Inspect Your Alarms

Do not wait for the “chirp” of a dying battery. Replace old batteries immediately. Once installed, use the test button to confirm the unit works. Ideally, you should test these alarms monthly to ensure they remain ready for an emergency.

2. Check Placement

Location matters. You need smoke alarms in every bedroom, in hallways outside sleeping areas, and on every level of your home. If you heat your home with fuel oil, gas, or wood, you must also install carbon monoxide detectors on every level.

3. Review Your Escape Plan

Knowing your alarms work is step one; knowing where to go is step two. Review your family’s fire escape plan this weekend. Establish at least two escape routes from every room and practice the route with children so they recognize the sound of the alarm and know exactly where to go. Once you get outside, stay outside and call 911.

4. Kitchen Safety

Ensure you have a fire extinguisher easily accessible in or near your kitchen area.

For more details on fire safety, visit www.saintjohn.ca or the National Fire Protection Association.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Daylight Saving Time begin in 2026?
Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

How often should I test my smoke alarms?
The Saint John Fire Department recommends testing your alarms monthly to ensure they are functioning correctly.

What should I do if my carbon monoxide detector goes off?
Immediately move outside to fresh air or to an open window or door. Ensure everyone in the home is accounted for, then call for help. Do not return to the area until emergency personnel confirm it is safe.