Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 1 and the American Red Cross, Eastern New York Region, encourages everyone to test their smoke alarms as they turn their clocks back to make sure the devices are working. 

The Red Cross also offers some fire safety Do’s and Don’ts to help keep everyone better prepared in case a fire starts in their home. 

Fire Safety Do's and Don'ts  

DO

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years old or older and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Test your smoke alarms once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year if your model requires it.
• Put together a fire escape plan for your household. Make sure everyone knows two ways to escape from every room in your home and where to meet outside. Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year.
• Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1. Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do if they hear one.
• Have your chimney cleaned and checked once a year. Use a metal or glass fireplace screen to help keep embers contained. 

DON’T 

• Leave fires or candles burning, or heating appliances plugged in, while you’re asleep, in another room or away from home.
• Leave the kitchen when cooking, frying or grilling. Most kitchen fires start on stovetops — not in the oven.
• Toss water on a grease fire. If you don’t already have one, consider keeping a fire extinguisher within easy reach. If you don’t have one and a fire starts in a pan, put a lid on it to suffocate the flames.
• Put items that can catch fire near your stove, such as curtains, towel racks or potholders. If your microwave isn’t built in, make sure nothing obstructs the vents and keep counter clutter away.
• Put anything that gives off heat near anything that might catch fire, especially space heaters.