Red Cross advises testing smoke alarms as Daylight Saving Time ends

By The Troy Record staff

The American Red Cross is encouraging everyone to use the end of Daylight Saving Time this Nov. 5 as an opportunity to test their smoke alarms.

“Home fires claim more lives every year than all natural disasters combined, but working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half,” said Kevin Coffey, Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern New York Region, in a news release. “The sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get out. When you turn your clocks back this weekend, test your smoke alarms too to help prevent a tragedy in your home.”

Over the past 12 months, local Red Cross volunteers responded to help 1,169 families affected by 687 home fires, which account for most of the more than 60,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country. Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign has saved at least 1,969 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans, and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country.

The American Red Cross recommends testing your smoke alarms twice every year, using the beginning and end of Daylight Saving Time as the times to do so. It is advised when  turning your clocks back this weekend to 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.

The Red Cross also offers the following fire safety advice:

• 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 cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Residents who need assistance can request a home fire safety visit soundthealarm.org/eny or contact preparedness.eny@redcross.org or 518-694-5121.

For more information, visit edcross.org/homefires.