CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — Daylights saving time begins on Sunday, March 8, and the American Red Cross is urging residents across the state to test their smoke alarms when they set their clocks forward this weekend.

“Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half as you only have about two minutes to get out,” said Kellie O’Connell, CEO of the Illinois Red Cross. “Every second counts when there’s a home fire and the sooner an alarm alerts you, the more time you have to get to a safer place. When you turn your clocks forward this weekend, test your smoke alarms to help prevent a tragedy in your home.”

Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster, making it critical to “Turn and Test” every year. Here’s what the Red Cross recommends:

Test your alarms and replace batteries. When turning your clocks forward, test every smoke alarm in your home and replace batteries if needed. Alarms should be tested monthly, and batteries replaced at least once a year if your model requires it.

Replace alarms older than 10 years. Sensors become less sensitive over time, so check the manufacture date on your alarms and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for replacement.

Practice your two-minute escape plan. Every member of your household should be able to get out of the home in under two minutes — the window you may have before a fire becomes unsurvivable. Identify at least two exits from every room, and choose a meeting spot at a safe distance from your home where everyone knows to gather.

Talk to children about fire safety. Make sure kids know what a smoke alarm sounds like and what to do if they hear one. Practicing the escape plan as a family can make a critical difference in an emergency.

For more information, visit redcross.org/fire or download the free Red Cross Emergency app by searching “American Red Cross” in your app store.