Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 3, and the American Red Cross encourages everyone to test their smoke alarms as they turn their clocks back to make sure the devices are working.

“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,” said Dani Aguilar, regional preparedness manager of the Red Cross Central California Region.

“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,” Aguilar said. “When daylight saving time ends this weekend, test your smoke alarms to help prevent a tragedy in your home.”

Over the past year, local Red Cross volunteers responded to 83 home fires across the Pacific Coast Tri-county area, which account for most of the about 65,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country.

“When turning your clocks back this weekend, test your smoke alarms and replace the batteries if needed,” the Red Crost said.

Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to create and practice with your family, or download the free Red Cross Emergency app by searching American Red Cross in app stores.

The Red Cross advises:
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.
• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. Components such as sensors can become less sensitive over time. Follow your alarm’s manufacturer instructions.
• Practice your 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.
• 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.

For those who need assistance, who cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms, or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Visit endhomefires.org to request the Red Cross to install free smoke alarms.