States Urge Safety Checks Before Clocks Fall Back

As clocks fall back, fire officials in several states urge households to test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, replace dead batteries, and replace expired units—smoke alarms generally last 10 years—while reviewing home escape plans. Working smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by about 60%, and winter heating and other seasonal hazards make early warnings especially important. The shift to earlier darkness also raises road risks: AAA advises drivers who encounter a deer to brake firmly and stay in their lane rather than swerve, while Michigan officials urge motorists to slow down, avoid distractions, and watch for pedestrians and cyclists, who are harder to see after dark.