(WAND)- Daylight saving time begins this Sunday, March 9. As we prepare to turn our clocks forward this weekend, the American Red Cross reminds everyone that it's also a good time to test their smoke alarms.
According to the Red Cross, over the past week, local volunteers have assisted 17 individuals in McLeansboro, Decatur, Mount Vernon, and Centralia who were affected by five home fires. These incidents are part of the more than 60,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country.
Red Cross volunteers provided essential supplies to address immediate needs after a fire, along with additional support such as shelter, health services, mental health services, and one-on-one assistance.
The American Red Cross has provided the following tips to help you prevent and stay safe from home fires:
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test alarms monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year if your model requires it.
- Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. That’s because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Check the date of your smoke alarms and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Practice your two-minute escape plan. Make sure everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to get out of a burning home before it’s too late. Include at least two ways to get out from 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 knows where to meet.
- Teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like. Talk about fire safety and what to do in an emergency.
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