Time to take fire safety steps

Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, “springing forward” one hour. Residents can set their clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday night.

The state fire marshal’s office also encourages residents to test smoke alarms and change their batteries at the same time.

“A good rule of thumb is to change the batteries when you change your clocks,” the fire marshal’s office said in a press release.

“Ensuring you have working smoke alarms in your home is the single most important step you can take to increase your family’s safety from a home fire,” Fire Marshal Doug Jorgensen said. “Your risk of dying in a fire is greatly reduced when your home is equipped with working smoke alarms.”

The fire marshal’s office offers tips for smoke alarms:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside every sleeping area, and on every level of your home, including the basement.
• Smoke alarm with long-life, non-replaceable batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm immediately.
• For other smoke alarms, replace batteries at least once a year. If the alarm chirps, replace only the battery. Replace alarms after 10 years, or sooner if they do not successfully pass a test by sounding the alarm when the test button is pressed.

Other fire safety tips from the fire marshal include:

• Plan and practice two escape routes out of every room of your house.
• Designate an outside meeting place.
• In case of fire, call 911 once you are safely outside your home.
• Once outside, stay outside and don’t return for anything, not even a pet.