March 10, 2022

Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 13, at 2 a.m. Although you can’t tell by the forecast, warmer weather is just around the corner. When the time changes in the spring (and the fall), fire officials recommend replacing the batteries in your smoke detectors to make sure they are functioning properly.

The American Red Cross has created the Turn and Test campaign to remind people to turn their clocks forward and test their smoke alarms to help keep their families safe. Here are some other fire safety tips that the organization recommends:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
• Test smoke alarms every month. If one is not working, change the batteries or replace the unit, as needed.
• Talk with family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
• If a fire occurs in your home, get out, stay out and call for help. Never go back inside a burning structure.

For more information, including fact sheets on a variety of fire safety topics, visit www.redcross.org/fire*.

* By clicking this link, you are entering a website that is maintained by an outside party, which is entirely responsible for the site’s content.