Daylight saving time begins on Sunday and the American Red Cross is encouraging everyone to test their smoke alarms as they turn their clocks forward.
Red Cross spokesperson Emily Holley says working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half as you only have about two minutes to get out. She says every second counts when there’s a home fire and the sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get to a safer place.
Last year, local Red Cross volunteers responded to help more than 1,800 people in Iowa affected by a total of nearly 600 home fires, which account for most of the about 65,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country.
Some helpful advice from the Red Cross when it comes to smoke alarms:
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.
- Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. Components such as sensors can become less sensitive over time. Follow your alarm’s manufacturer instructions.
- Practice your two-minute home fire escape plan. Make sure everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to escape a burning home before it’s too late.
- Include at least two ways to get out of every room and 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.
When turning your clocks ahead on Saturday night, test your smoke alarms and replace the batteries if needed. Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to create and practice with your family. You can also download the free Red Cross Emergency app by searching “American Red Cross” in app stores.
