LANSING, MI – As Michiganders move their clocks ahead one hour for daylight saving time this Sunday, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is encouraging residents to test their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Daylight saving time serves as a seasonal reminder for households to check safety devices and replace batteries as needed.
“Testing your smoke alarms is one of the simplest and most effective ways to increase your chance of surviving a home fire,” said Marlon I. Brown, Director of LARA. “When a fire starts, you may have less than two minutes to escape. Working alarms provide the early warning families need.”
Michigan fire data underscores the urgency of working alarms. In 2025, Michigan’s fatal fire data shows that, 107 people have died in 91 fires. Only 30% of those homes had a working smoke alarm. In 2026, 30 people died in 25 fatal fires statewide thus far.
Today’s fires burn faster than in previous decades due to synthetic materials, modern furnishings, and lightweight construction, reducing the time occupants have to exit safely.
“Modern home materials and furnishings allow fires to spread rapidly, leaving families with far less time to escape,” said Tom Hughes, State Fire Marshal. “That is why preparation matters. Every home should have working smoke alarms and a practiced escape plan.”
Data collected through MI Prevention indicates that older adults and individuals living with disabilities face increased risk during home fires, particularly in homes without working smoke alarms. Households that may need additional time or assistance to evacuate are encouraged to plan accordingly.
LARA also encourages families to develop and practice a home fire escape plan. Everyone in the household should know two ways out of every room and identify a designated meeting place outside the home.
“Families should discuss in advance what to do if a fire occurs,” Hughes said. “The priority is to get out and stay out. Do not attempt to fight the fire.”
Fire Safety Recommendations
- Test smoke alarms monthly using the test button
- Install alarms inside every bedroom and on every level of the home
- Replace smoke alarms every 10 years
- Practice a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room
- Get out and stay out if a fire occurs
More fire safety information is available through MI Prevention, a statewide program working in partnership with local fire departments and public safety organizations to reduce fire fatalities across Michigan.
Visit www.MIPrevention.org.
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