News

It's Halloween, a blue moon and fall back (check your smoke alarm)

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 31, 2020

Halloween, a blue moon and the end of Daylight Saving Time all happen tonight, which means it's also time to test smoke alarms while turning the clock back.

Fire officials urge everyone to test their smoke alarms when turning back their clock for the return to Eastern Standard Time at 2 a.m. Sunday.

As the fall season ushers in colder weather, it also increases the risk of deadly home fires. That’s because heating equipment is the second most common cause of fatalities from home fires—which, on average, take seven lives every day in the U.S., according to the National Fire Protection Association. A working smoke alarm can double a person’s odds of survival.
“Saluda Fire & Rescue wants everyone to stay safe this winter,” said Chief Robert Dellinger. “This weekend, please take time to ’turn and test’ to protect you and your family against the season’s life-threatening risk of home fires.”
Every day, Saluda Fire & Rescue responds to calls for service – often, home fires. In Saluda, firefighters responded to more than 800 calls last year, including multiple fires that displaced and injured residents.
Saluda Fire & Rescue asks everyone to take these simple steps:

• Replace smoke alarm batteries. When turning the clocks back, take a few minutes to replace the smoke alarm batteries and push the test button to make sure the alarms are working. It’s also a great time to check carbon monoxide detectors.
• Install smoke alarms. If you don’t have working smoke alarms, install them. At a minimum, put one on every level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
• Practice an escape plan. Make sure everyone in the household knows two ways to get out of every room and how to get out of the home in less than two minutes.