Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday at 2:00 a.m. so turn the clocks ahead one hour. The American Red Cross reminds everyone it’s also a good time to test the batteries in their smoke alarms.
“When you turn your clocks ahead this weekend, it’s a great time to also test your smoke alarms,” said Jennifer Ross, Executive Director of the American Red Cross in Eastern South Dakota. “Take a few minutes to replace your smoke alarm batteries and push the test button to make sure the alarms are working.”
It’s also a good time for everyone to take these steps to make sure their household is prepared for emergencies.
- Install smoke alarms. If someone doesn’t have smoke alarms, they should install them. At a minimum, put one on every level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
- Practice an escape plan. Make sure everyone in the household knows how to get out of every room and how to get out of the home in less than two minutes.
- Get a kit. Keep disaster supplies in an easy-to-carry bag to use at home or carry in case ordered to evacuate.
- Be informed. Learn what emergencies can occur in the area and how officials notify residents should a disaster occur.
Home Fire Campaign The Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, launched in October 2014, is a multi-year nationwide initiative to reduce deaths and injuries caused by home fires by 25 percent. As of January 31, 2017, the Red Cross and its partners have helped to save at least 159 lives and installed more than 702,000 smoke alarms nationwide. More than 2,000 free smoke alarms were installed in homes across South Dakota in 2016.