Time to fall back, check your smoke alarm

As daylight savings time ends, the American Red Cross of Northern Nevada reminds residents to check and replace smoke alarm batteries to protect against home fires.

Don’t have a working smoke alarm? Then it’s a great time to get a free smoke alarm offered by the Red Cross through its Home Fire campaign. This is a free service and there is no obligation to Northern Nevada residents. During the installation visit, Red Cross volunteers will share education information and help residents customize evacuation plans.

To request a free smoke alarm installation, contact the Red Cross hotline number at 775-954-1185. Leave a name, address and phone number. Calls will be returned within 48 hours. For information, visit the Home Fire Campaign website at www.redcross.org/local/nevada/about-us/our-work/home-fire-campaign.html

Since July 1, Red Cross volunteers in Northern Nevada have responded to 50 home fires and installed 385 smoke alarms in area homes. A working smoke alarm can be key to saving lives. Just consider these facts:

On average, seven people die every day from a home fire.

You have two minutes to escape a burning house.

Three of every 5 home-fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms or alarms not working.

Smoke alarms cut the risk of death from fire in half.

If your home does have working smoke alarms, remember to practice your fire escape plan with family members twice a year; have a meeting spot where everyone can meet at a safe distance. Ensure children know what a smoke alarm sounds like, and what to do when they hear it go off.

Want to learn more? Visit redcross.org for information and tips on preventing home fires.