Many people aren’t aware that home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster. On average, 30 people sustain injuries due to a house fire and 7 people die from a home fire every day. In addition, more than $7 billion in yearly property damages from home fires. To help lower the number of injuries and damages, the American Red Cross is working hard to prepare families across the country. 

The American Red Cross created the Home Fire Campaign to help save lives and prepare families before a home fire occurs. The Red Cross has met the goal of installing 2.5 million free smoke alarms and making 1 million homes safer in at-risk communities. Many homeowners don’t know how simple and timeless it can be to test or change a smoke alarm. With daylight savings right around the corner, it is the perfect time to test your smoke alarm. When you change the time on your clock, it can only take a few additional minutes to also check the smoke alarms in your home. This simple task can make a huge difference and save your life. 

If you aren’t sure how to test or change the batteries in a smoke alarm, the American Red Cross offers tips and instructions to help protect your home. You should ensure that there is the correct number of smoke alarms in your home, including on every level of the home. To further prepare yourself and others, the Red Cross provides directions on how to create a fire escape plan. 

Did you know working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half? That’s why it’s critical to “Turn and Test” and take these lifesaving steps to stay safe from home fires — the nation’s most frequent disaster:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test alarms monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year if your model requires it.
• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. That’s because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Check the date of your smoke alarms and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Practice your two-minute escape plan. Make sure everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to get out of a burning home before it’s too late. Include at least two ways to get out from 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 knows where to meet.
• Teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like. Talk about fire safety and what to do in an emergency.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.