Is your smoke alarm still working? A smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all. On Sunday, November 6 when resetting your clocks for Daylight Saving Time, make sure your smoke alarms work and replace the batteries, if necessary. Take care of your smoke alarms according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and follow these tips from the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA):

Smoke alarm powered by a nine-volt battery

• Test the alarm monthly.
• Replace the batteries at least once every year.
• Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years.

Smoke alarm powered by a 10-year lithium (or “long-life”) battery

• Test the alarm monthly.
• Since you cannot (and should not) replace the lithium battery, replace the entire smoke alarm according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Smoke alarm that is hardwired into your home's electrical system

• Test the alarm monthly.
• Replace the backup battery at least once every year.
• Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years.

For more information on Smoke Alarms, visit the USFA Smoke Alarm page. 

On Friday, November 11, show your appreciation for our nation’s veterans and service members by volunteering this Veterans Day. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a variety of ways to serve and educate others on the importance of Veterans Day, including:

• Contact the VA Voluntary Service to Volunteer or Donate.
• Volunteer at a local VA Medical Center.
• Students can gain experience and training with the Student Volunteer Program.
• Bring the Veterans Day celebration into the classroom with the Veterans Day Teachers and Students resources.

For more information on Veterans Day, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month, in November, builds awareness and reaffirms the nationwide commitment to keep our power, water, transportation, and communication systems secure.

Help secure critical infrastructure by:

• Getting involved with the Hometown Security initiative to ensure that you and your community are prepared for any and all incidents.
• Learning about important cybersecurity efforts to protect yourself from cyberattacks.
• Finding out what critical infrastructure is and how it is important to our daily lives.
• Sharing stories and information about your efforts to support infrastructure security and resilience with your customers, constituents, partners, residents, and employees through newsletters, websites, emails, blog posts, and tweets.
• Reinforcing the role your organization/office plays in infrastructure security and resilience by incorporating references to Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month in speaking engagements and events.
• Following @DHSgov on Twitter, and posting infrastructure security and resilience efforts, tips, news, and resources on social media using the hashtag #infrastructure.
• Downloading the Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month Toolkit to learn more about how you can help promote awareness of the importance of critical infrastructure.
• Downloading a printer-friendly fact sheet explaining Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month that you can hand out at your event or meeting.

Americans can do their part at home, at work, and in their local communities by being prepared for all hazards, reporting suspicious activities, and learning more about critical infrastructure security and resilience.