Turn and Test: Red Cross Says Test Your
Smoke Alarms When You Turn the Clocks Ahead This Weekend
CLEVELAND, MARCH 08, 2017 — 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 as they TURN their clocks ahead an hour.
“When you turn your clocks ahead this weekend, it’s a great time to also test your smoke alarms,” said Mike Parks, CEO, Northeast Ohio Region. “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. Check local building codes for additional requirements.
- 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 if ordered to evacuate.
- Make a plan. Have all household members plan what steps they should take if an emergency occurs.
- Be informed. Learn what emergencies can occur in the area and how officials notify residents should a disaster occur.
Operation Save-A-Life A Red Cross Home Fire Campaign is a multi-year, nationwide initiative to reduce deaths and injuries caused by home fires by 25 percent. It is modeled after Operation Save-A-Life, the campaign that started in Cleveland in 1992 to provide fire safety information and free smoke alarms in homes where they are needed. In fiscal year 2016, the Red Cross and its community partners installed nearly 13,000 smoke alarms in homes throughout Northeast Ohio, more than doubling the goal of 6,000 alarms.
People can visit redcross.org to find out more about how to protect themselves and their loved ones from fire and other emergencies. Log onto redcross.org/neoosal for information about requesting smoke alarms.
The Red Cross depends on the generous support of the American public to fulfill its crucial mission. If someone would like to help, please consider making a donation today by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 gift.
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