Red Cross Encourages Residents to Change their Clocks – and Check their Smoke Alarms, Too

Sunday, November 3rd, is the end of Daylight Savings time, and the American Red Cross wants area residents to check their smoke detector batteries, in addition to getting back that hour of sleep lost last spring.

"This is a perfect time to check your smoke alarms, and make sure the alarms work by pushing the test button," said Bobbi Petru, Director, La Porte County/Porter County Chapters. "It's also a good time for checking carbon monoxide detectors. You should replace the batteries in both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at least once a year."

This weekend is also a good time to make sure emergency preparedness supplies are ready for the fall and winter. Home kits should include, at the minimum:

• Three-day supply of non-perishable food items and water (one gallon per person per day)
  
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered or crank radio
• Can opener
• First aid kit
• Copies of important documents
• Special items such as medications, diapers and infant formula

For families that already have an emergency preparedness kit, check it for expired food items, and refresh staples such as water, food and batteries. If there have been changes in prescriptions or dietary needs, add new foods and medications as needed.

Taking simple actions like these can help you be better prepared for emergencies. You can find more information on preparedness on redcross.org.