Red Cross asks to test your smoke alarms as you turn your clocks forward this weekend

Working smoke alarms cut risk of home fire deaths in half

PORTLAND — Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 9 and the American Red Cross encourages everyone to test their smoke alarms as they turn their clocks forward 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 Stephanie Couturier, regional CEO, American Red Cross Northern New England 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. When daylight saving time ends this weekend, test your smoke alarms to help prevent a tragedy in your home.”

In just the first two months of 2025, local Red Cross volunteers responded to 60 home fires across the state, assisting more than 160 Mainers. The Red Cross responds to about 65,000 disasters a year in the U.S., the majority of which are home fires.

When turning your clocks forward this weekend, test your smoke alarms and replace the batteries if needed. 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.

• 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.

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, March 15: Readfield
• Saturday, March 22: Standish
• Saturday, April 12: Saco/Biddeford
• Saturday, April 26: Calais

Appointments are required for these events. Residents can register here.

Maine residents who live outside of these areas, can also visit redcross.org/EndHomesFiresNNE or call 1-800-464-6692 (Option 4) to schedule a free installation. A member of our Red Cross team will follow-up to schedule your appointment.

Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community partners, has saved at least 2,284 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires. 

State Farm® has renewed its pledge of $1 million to the Red Cross in support of Sound the Alarm efforts to help build safer, stronger, better-educated communities. For decades, State Farm® has teamed up with the Red Cross in support of home safety, disaster preparedness and relief efforts. State Farm® is committed to helping even more individuals and families manage everyday risks like home fires by sponsoring Sound the Alarm for the second year.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent 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.