How often should smoke detector batteries be replaced for optimal safety?

Replacing smoke detector batteries 1-2 times a year is essential for maintaining optimal safety in a home. This frequency ensures that the batteries are functioning properly and that the smoke detector is able to alert residents in case of a fire. Many experts recommend that homeowners change the batteries when they change their clocks for daylight saving time, which occurs twice a year, making it a practical and memorable reminder.

Regular battery replacement helps to prevent the scenario where a smoke detector has a dead battery at a critical time, such as during a fire emergency. Additionally, even if the smoke detector is hardwired, it's still recommended to have backup batteries that are replaced regularly to ensure continued operation during power outages.

While other options suggest different frequency levels for battery replacement, they either do not provide adequate safety measures or may lead to neglect in changing batteries timely.