Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 2, 2025. 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. You only have about two minutes to safely get out,” said Kellie O’Connell, CEO for the Red Cross of Illinois. “Every second counts when there’s a home fire. 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.”
This year, local Red Cross volunteers have responded to help more than 6500 people in the Illinois Region affected by nearly 1400 home fires. Home fires account for most of the about 65,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the Country.
SMOKE ALARMS
When turning your clocks back 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 ten 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. That is 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. 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. Contact your local Red Cross for help.
HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN SAVES LIVES
Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community partners, has saved at least 2284 lives. This was due to educating families about fire safety; helping them create escape plans; installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the Country. Learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, by visiting redcross.org/homefires.
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS PARTNER
State Farm® is the National Sound the Alarm Sponsor. Their funding helps our efforts to build safer, stronger, better-educated communities. For decades, State Farm has teamed with the Red Cross, in support of home safety, disaster preparedness, and relief efforts. State Farm is committed to helping individuals and families manage everyday risks, like home fires, by sponsoring Sound the Alarm campaigns.