Media Contact: Jennifer Costa
(802) 556-2171 | Jennifer.costa@redcross.org

Media Contact: Dan Dowling
(802) 309-0742 | Daniel.dowling@redcross.org

CONCORD, N.H., MARCH 5, 2026 — Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 8 and the American Red Cross encourages everyone to test their smoke alarms when they turn their clocks forward to make sure the devices are working.

“Every day, eight people die in home fires across the country. Help prevent a tragedy in your home by ensuring you have working smoke alarms. These lifesaving devices cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half,” said John Montes, regional disaster officer, Red Cross Northern New England Region. “When daylight saving time starts this weekend, test your smoke alarms, replace dead batteries, check alarm expiration dates and reach out to the Red Cross if you need smoke alarms for your home. We are here to help.”

In just the first two months of 2026, local Red Cross volunteers responded to 31 home fires across the state, assisting nearly 100 Granite Staters. The Red Cross responds to about 65,000 disasters a year in the U.S., the majority of which are home fires. In 2025, the Red Cross responded to more than 150 home fires in New Hampshire, assisting nearly 700 people.

SMOKE ALARMS When turning your clocks forward this weekend, test your smoke alarms and replace the batteries, if needed. Visit redcross.org/EndHomeFiresNNE 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.

SMOKE ALARM SAFETY

• Place smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. 
• Test your alarms once a month and change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it. 
• Check the manufacturer’s date of your smoke alarms. If they’re 10 years or older, they need to be replaced because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Follow the manufacturer’s 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.
   

IF YOU NEED HELP If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. This spring, trained Red Cross volunteer teams will be hosting free smoke alarm installation events in the following communities:

• Saturday, April 18: Plymouth, N.H.
• Saturday, May 2: Rochester, N.H
  • Appointments are required for these events. Residents can register at here.

New Hampshire residents can also request free smoke alarms year round by visiting redcross.org/EndHomesFiresNNE or calling 1-800-464-6692 (Option 4) to schedule an installation at no cost. A member of our Red Cross team will follow-up to schedule your appointment.

During each 30-minute home visit, the teams evaluate residents’ current smoke alarms, install new ones (as needed), share information on the causes of home fires, how to prevent them, what to do if a fire starts and how to create an escape plan for the entire family.

HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN SAVES LIVES Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community partners, has saved at least 2,577 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country. Locally, documented lives saved cases include residents in: Portsmouth and Rochester, New Hampshire. Additionally, the Red Cross has installed 11,823 free smoke alarms across the state since October 2014. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires. 

RESOURCES
Credit: American Red Cross

• Smoke Alarm installation event b-roll: https://www.flickr.com/photos/redcrossnhvt/54863811338/
• Home fire b-roll - https://vimeopro.com/americanredcross/home-fire-b-roll/video/967017709
• How to test a smoke alarm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi1G291Fohc
   

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or follow us on social media.