Fall back, stay safe: Use this weekend’s extra hour for home safety checks

Fall back, stay safe: Use this weekend's extra hour for home safety checks

No studying needed to ace energy savings while adjusting to changing schedules.

HOUSTON - Nov. 1, 2026 As Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, Nov. 1, CenterPoint Energy is encouraging customers to use the extra hour to perform important safety checks around the home and get ready for the colder months ahead.

"As clocks fall back and temperatures begin to drop, it's a great time to build a habit of checking and replacing batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors," said Todd Hohn, CenterPoint Energy Vice President and Chief Safety Officer. "Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly if inhaled, and homes without working smoke alarms are at greater risk of fire-related fatalities. Making sure these devices are functioning properly is a simple but powerful way to protect your household."

In addition to checking detectors, CenterPoint recommends using the extra hour to tackle other seasonal safety tasks:

• Changing the filters in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system: Regular maintenance is one of the best ways to extend the life of your HVAC system, so swap out or clean filters to minimize costly repairs down the road.
• Scheduling routine furnace maintenance: Having a professional inspect your heating system regularly can help lower heating bills and extend the life of your furnace.
• Cleaning dryer vents: Help prevent fires and keep your dryer running efficiently by clearing lint out of the tube that goes from the appliance to the outdoors.
• Sealing air leaks by caulking and weather stripping: To save energy and reduce cooling/heating costs, take time to caulk areas in and around your home where conditioned air may escape or warm or cold air may enter.
• Checking emergency kits: For items like nonperishable food, water, flashlights and other battery-powered devices, daylight saving time is a great reminder to check that supplies are up to date.

By taking these small steps, customers can make a big impact on their home's safety and energy efficiency. CenterPoint Energy offers a variety of programs, tips, and tools to help manage energy use and keep homes comfortable throughout the winter season.

For more safety tips and information on energy efficiency programs, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
As the only investor owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve nearly 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Minnesota, and Texas. As of September 30, 2026, the company owned approximately $49.5 billion in assets. With approximately 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.