Daylight Saving Time is coming to an end at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, and it's not just about getting an extra hour of sleep. The Arlington Fire Department is using this time to remind residents to check their smoke alarms, a simple task that could be life-saving. As per the fire safety norms, they advise testing your alarms monthly and replacing the battery annually. If you've had your smoke alarm for a decade, or if it flunks its monthly test, you're due for a new one, according to the City of Arlington.
And the data underscores the importance: "In 2012-2016, smoke alarms sounded in more than half (53%) of the home fires reported to U.S. fire departments," as quoted from the City of Arlington website. Astonishingly, about 60% of home fire deaths resulted from fires where no smoke alarms, or none that worked, were present. That's a staggering 40% of deaths from fires in homes without any alarms and another 17% where the alarms were simply non-functional.
With the sun dipping earlier, road safety becomes even more critical, especially for those on foot or two wheels. Darker commutes raise the risk substantially, with the majority of pedestrian crashes happening after sundown, noted the Look Out Texans campaign. In fact, 80% of fatal pedestrian crashes occur in the dark. Drivers should take heed: use headlights, stay vigilant for cyclists and pedestrians, and ditch the distractions. Road-sharing laws require bicycles to be equipped with a front white light and either a red reflector or a red light at the rear. For added safety, those biking or walking should consider wearing bright or reflective gear.
