Testing your smoke alarms monthly, and changing your smoke alarm batteries twice a year will nearly cut in half your risk of dying or being severely injured in a fire. Taking a few minutes of your time may save your life or the life of a loved one.

Developing this habit is part of a national initiative that urges everyone to adopt this lifesaving habit: change your smoke alarm batteries when you change your clocks twice a year.

Remember these simple home safety tips that will help prevent fires, deaths, and injuries:
• Install and properly maintain smoke alarms.
• Maintain and properly use all gas and electrical appliances and grills.
• Never leave food cooking unattended and remember to turn off the burner or oven when you leave.
• Keep all matches and lighters away from children.
• Never leave candles burning unattended and extinguish them when you are asleep.
• Never overload your electrical outlets. Only use approved and listed extension cords and electrical equipment. Never run extension cords under carpets or use them as a substitute for permanent wiring.
• Develop and practice a fire escape plan.

Fire can spread quickly and leave you two minutes or less to escape safely. Your ability to get out depends on advance warning from properly installed and functioning smoke detectors and having a home fire escape plan that everyone in your home is familiar with and has practiced.

REMEMBER: CHANGE YOUR CLOCK, CHANGE YOUR BATTERY!