Time to test your smoke alarms

As people turn their clocks back this weekend for the end of daylight saving time, the American Red Cross asks everyone to also test their smoke alarms.

“This weekend, please ‘turn and test’ to help protect your family from home fires, which tragically take seven lives each day in the U.S.,” said Dave Skutnik, the communications director for the Red Cross Eastern Pennsylvania Region. “Because working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half, we urge you to test your smoke alarms and practice your escape plan with everyone in your household.”

The threat of home fires — which are most often caused by cooking and heating equipment — increases with the holidays and cold weather. Follow these steps:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. Place them inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.

• Test smoke alarms and replace batteries if needed. Test smoke alarms monthly, and change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it. It’s also a great time to check carbon monoxide alarms.

• Practice your home fire escape plan. Include at least two ways to get out of every room. 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. Practice your plan until everyone can escape in 2 minutes or less.