By Alana Mauger

Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 2 and the American Red Cross encourages everyone to test their smoke alarms as theyturn their clocks back to make sure the devices are working.

“Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half, and that’s critical because you may have less than two minutes to safely get out,” said Jennifer Graham, CEO, Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region. “Every second counts when there’s a home fire. The sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get to safety. As daylight saving time ends this weekend, take a moment to test your smoke alarms. It’s a simple step that could save your life.”

So far this year, local Red Cross volunteers responded to help more than 2,200 people in Southeastern Pennsylvania affected by nearly 500 home fires, which account for most of the about 65,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country.

Smoke Alarms

When turning your clocks back this weekend, test your smoke alarms and replace the batteries if needed. For more fire safety information – including how to create and practice a home escape plan with your family – visit redcross.org/fire or download the free Red Cross Emergency app by searching “American Red Cross” in your app store.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to help protect your home and loved ones from a fire:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.
• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years old 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 safe meeting spot outside your home, such as your neighbor’s home or a familiar 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. Visit soundthealarm.org/philly or call 215-299-4029 to schedule an appointment. In the city of Philadelphia, you can also call 3-1-1.

Home Fire Campaign Saves Lives

Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community partners, has saved at least 2,479 lives, including 28 in Southeastern Pennsylvania, 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^® is the National Sound the Alarm Sponsor. Their funding helps our efforts to 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 individuals and families manage everyday risks like home fires by sponsoring Sound the Alarm.