CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARM THIS WEEKEND

Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives, Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries.

The State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO), a division of the Mississippi Insurance Department (MID), recommends checking smoke alarms in your home this weekend. Falling back to Standard Time early Sunday morning remains a good reminder to change batteries and replace alarms as needed.

There have been 58 fire deaths so far in 2024. There were no working smoke alarms in at least 30 of those instances. Working smoke alarms in your home cuts your chance of dying in a fire by more than half according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Call your local fire department and ask for a smoke alarm to be installed in your home. You should also have an escape plan to get out of your home.

"Create an escape plan and make sure everyone knows where to meet outside of the home, in case of fire," said Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney. "Have children draw an escape plan that shows how everyone will get out of the house and where exits are located."

Also, remember to:

• Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.

• Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.

• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

• Replace the smoke alarm immediately if it doesn't respond properly when tested.

• Smoke alarms should be placed in every sleeping area and common hallways and on every level of the home.

• Should a fire break out in the home, have an emergency evacuation plan for the family to follow and have a designated meeting place for all family members.

• Once everyone is outside the burning home, call 911 and don't go back inside the home under any circumstances.