Daylight Saving Time is ending this weekend and that means we set our clocks forward an hour. Josh Murray with the American Red Cross says it’s also a good time to make sure your smoke detectors are working properly.
“Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half as you only have about two minutes to safely get out,” Murray says. “Every second counts when there’s a home fire and the sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get to a safer place.”
Murray says push the test button to make sure your smoke alarms are sounding and replace the batteries if needed. Since the start of 2025, local Red Cross volunteers responded to help over 1,000 people in Nebraska affected by nearly 300 home fires, which account for most of the about 65,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country.
Murray says make sure you install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. In addition, replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. He also encourages families to practice their two-minute home fire escape plan.
“Make sure everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes, the amount of time you may have to escape a burning home before it’s too late.” He says Include at least two ways to get out of 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 can meet.
If you are unable to afford smoke alarms or are physically unable to test them, Murray says the Red Cross will the Red Cross will come and check the batteries and install a new one if necessary. You can call 1-800-Red Cross or click here for more details.