Spring Forward to Safety: Hoosiers Should Use Daylight Savings Time as Reminder to Check Smoke Alarms and Preparedness Kits. This is also a great time to review your home fire escape plan.

Here are more smoke alarm tips to consider:

• Test all smoke alarms every month to ensure they are working properly;
• Purchase long-life smoke alarms with lithium-powered batteries. These types of detectors may not require a battery change for the life of the unit. Regular batteries should be changed at least once a year, preferably twice.
• Replace any smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old;
• Remove any dust from the front of the smoke alarm;
• Devise a family escape plan and practice it at least every six months. Plans should include at least two different ways each family member could escape various parts of the house. Designate a special place outside of the home where family members are to meet after escaping a fire; and
• For those renting a home or apartment, it is the landlord’s responsibility, and the law, to have at least one working smoke alarm in each unit.