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Red Cross Reminds to Test Smoke Alarms as You Turn
Clocks Forward this Weekend
Published: March 08, 2025 at
04:00 p.m.
By: Press Release from American Red Cross
Red Cross asks you to TEST your smoke alarms as you
TURN your clocks forward this weekend
Working smoke alarms cut risk
of home fire deaths in half
Syracuse, New
York— Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 9 and the American
Red Cross encourages everyone to test their smoke alarms as they turn
their clocks forward to make sure the devices are working.
“Working smoke
alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half as you only
have about two minutes to safely get out,” said Lisa Smith, Executive
Director American Red Cross Central & Northern New York “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. When daylight saving
time ends this weekend, test your smoke alarms to help prevent a tragedy in
your home.”
SMOKE ALARMS: When
turning your clocks back this weekend, 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, or download the free Red Cross Emergency app by searching
“American Red Cross” in app stores.
- 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.
IF YOU NEED HELP: If you cannot
afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one,
the Red Cross may be able to help. Contact your local
Red Cross for help
HOME FIRE
CAMPAIGN SAVES LIVES: Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community
partners, has saved at least 2,284 lives by educating
families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing
free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country. To learn more
about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires.
THANK YOU TO OUR
GENEROUS PARTNER State Farm® has renewed its pledge of $1
million to the Red Cross in support of Sound the Alarm efforts
to help build safer, stronger, better-educated communities. For decades,
State Farm® has teamed up with the Red Cross in support of home
safety, disaster preparedness and relief efforts. State Farm® is
committed to helping even more individuals and families manage everyday
risks like home fires by sponsoring Sound the Alarm for
the second year.
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