by Krystal Smith, Red Cross North Texas, Regional Digital Communications Specialist

Daylight Saving Time is this weekend which means it’s time to TEST your smoke alarms & TURN your clocks ahead an hour. If you’re awake, the official time to turn your clock is tomorrow (Sunday, March 11) morning at 2 A.M. Otherwise, be sure to take these Turn & Test when you wake up on Sunday morning!

Disaster can happen anywhere, at any time. Take these simple steps now and help prepare your family in case of an emergency.

• Check smoke alarm batteries. Test smoke alarms once a month. Change the batteries at least once a year – if your model requires it. Place smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms.
• Install smoke alarms. If someone doesn’t have smoke alarms, 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 family 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 carry in case 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.
• Download the Red Cross Emergency App. Learn more home fire safety tips and keep up-to-date with customizable weather alerts. Even the kids can get involved by playing the interactive emergency preparedness game, Monster Guard!

It’s that easy to help keep your loved ones safe this Spring! 

Want to get involved to help prepare others for home fire emergencies!?!
Join us to Sound the Alarm. Save a Life! Between April 28-May 13 the Red Cross is installing 100,000 free smoke alarms in 100 cities across the country. You can join this lifesaving initiative to help reduce the number of home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent. Learn more about how you can get involved at soundthealarm.org/northtexas.