Daylight Saving Time Ends: Red Cross Issues Call to Test Smoke Alarms
As people turn their clocks back this weekend for the end of daylight saving time, the American Red Cross asks everyone to also test their smoke alarms.
"Home fires affect Massachusetts communities more than any other disaster," said Holly Grant, chief executive officer of the Massachusetts region of the American Red Cross. "We ask everyone to 'turn and test' this weekend to help protect your family. Just in the past weekend, Red Cross volunteers responded to 13 home fires across the commonwealth to help people recover. You can help stay safe by testing your smoke alarms and practicing your escape plan with everyone in your household."
The threat of home fires — which are most often caused by cooking and heating equipment — increases with the holidays and cold weather. As daylight saving time ends, please follow the steps below to prepare your household. For more information, visit redcross.org/homefires or download the free Red Cross Emergency App (search "American Red Cross" in app stores).
· Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. Place them inside and outside bedrooms, and sleeping areas.
· Test smoke alarms and replace batteries if needed. Test smoke alarms monthly, and change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it. It's also a great time to check carbon monoxide alarms.
· Practice your home fire escape plan. Include at least two ways to get out of every room. Select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor's home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone can meet. Practice your plan until everyone can escape in two minutes or less.
For five years, the Red Cross has been working with partners to install free smoke alarms in high-risk communities and help families create escape plans through its national Home Fire Campaign — which so far has saved at least 642 lives across the country.
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