Working smoke alarms cut risk of home fire deaths in half
Vermont Business Magazine Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 2, and 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 as you only have about two minutes to safely get out,” said Sarah Lemnah, Red Cross Vermont Chapter executive director. “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.”
Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster, claiming seven lives (mostly children and the elderly) every day across the country – and injuring more than 30. Here in Vermont, the Red Cross responded to 98 home fires in 2024, assisting 325 Vermonters. So far this year, the Red Cross has provided critical aid to more than 330 Vermonters following 79 home fires.
SMOKE ALARMS When turning your clocks back this weekend, test your smoke alarms and replace the batteries if needed.
- 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.
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.
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.
- Vermont residents can 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 smoke alarm appointment.
HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN SAVES LIVES Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community partners, has saved at least 2,508 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country. Locally, the Red Cross and its partners have installed nearly 8,000 free smoke alarms in homes across Vermont since the program’s inception.
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 up 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.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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
BURLINGTON, Vt., OCTOBER 30, 2025 — American Red Cross
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