Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680

SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 3, 2022) — As daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 6, the American Red Cross of Utah urges residents to not only turn back their clocks, but also test their smoke alarms and change the batteries to help prevent a home fire tragedy as seven people in the United States lose their lives to home fires every day.

“Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are the first line of defense against a home fire,” said Jeremiah Lafranca, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Utah Greater Salt Lake Chapter. “The sooner you hear the smoke alarm, the sooner you can escape safely from your house. That is why it is so important when you turn your clocks back on Sunday, you also test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.”

According to Lafranca, home fires claim seven lives a day in the U.S. and more lives in a typical year than all natural disasters combined. “But working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half,” he said. “Most people don’t realize they only have two minutes to escape a home fire – smoke alarms provide critical minutes to get out. Acting on this knowledge can be the difference between survival and tragedy.”

Since the start of the year, the Red Cross of Utah staff and volunteers have responded to more than 160 home fires and assisted more than 630 people in need, Lafranca said. “Home fires, the nation’s most frequent disaster, account for most of the more than 60,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to nationwide each year,” he said.

Make this Sunday ‘Turn and Test’ day
When turning your clocks back this weekend, test your smoke alarms and replace batteries if needed. And:

• 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 safely escape a burning home.
• Include at least two ways to get out of every room and select a meeting spot for everyone at a safe distance from your home. (Neighbor’s home, specific tree, or another safe place)
  
  

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.

There’s help available
If you can’t afford to buy smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross of Utah may be able to help. Any resident interested in fire prevention assistance can visit SoundTheAlarm.org/Utah to schedule an appointment for a free smoke alarm installation. During the 20-minute home visit, Red Cross volunteers will also share information on home fires, how to prevent them, what to do if a fire starts, and how to create an escape plan.

Home Fire Campaign saves lives
Installing smoke alarms and providing fire prevention information is a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign. Since launching in October 2014, the effort has saved some 1,414 lives nationwide by helping families create escape plans, installing free smoke alarms, and providing education about fire safety. Visit redcross.org/homefires for more information.

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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.