Daylight saving time ends this Sunday, and the American Red Cross is urging everyone to test their smoke alarms when turning back their clocks.
As fall ushers in colder weather, it also increases the risk of deadly home fires. That’s because heating equipment is the second most common cause of fatalities from home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
But working smoke alarms can double a person’s odds of survival.
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“The Red Cross wants everyone to stay safe this winter,” said Regional Disaster Officer Danella Hughes. “This weekend, please take time to ‘turn and test’ to protect you and your family against the season’s life-threatening risk of home fires.”
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Last year in Georgia, Red Cross disaster teams responded to help in about 2,700 home fire-related emergencies.
Here are some simple steps to take this weekend:
- Check smoke alarm batteries. When turning back the clocks, replace smoke alarm batteries if needed and push the test button to make sure the alarms are working.
- Install smoke alarms. 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 two ways to get out of every room and how to get out of the home in less than two minutes.
The Red Cross’ national Home Fire Campaign began in 2014. Last year in Georgia, the Red Cross helped install more than 11,000 free smoke alarms and replaced batteries in more than 4,700 existing smoke alarms.
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