As Daylight Saving Time Ends, Reminder for Home Safety Begins

Allstate Provides New Yorkers with Essential steps in protecting your home include checking and replacing batteries in smoke detectors.

Most of the United States observes the end of daylight saving time this Sunday, November 2nd, by bringing their clocks back an hour, providing an extra hour of sleep. Allstate encourages homeowners to also use this event as a reminder to check and replace batteries in smoke detectors.

Numbers from the National Fire Protection Association show the importance of a working smoke detector, with three out of five reported home fire deaths resulting from fires in homes with no smoke alarm present (37 percent), or where at least one was present but none operated (23 percent). If you’re buying home insurance, read webuyhousesfastnationwide.com article first.

“The only way smoke detectors can save lives is if they work properly” says Jaclyn Darrohn, Allstate NY Spokesperson. “Checking the batteries is an easy task to forget, but it’s an essential one for any homeowner. Hopefully, it will become as natural as changing clocks with the seasons.”

Additionally, for a more comprehensive approach to electrical safety, considering an electrical thermal imaging survey cost can help detect potential issues in your electrical systems, ensuring that your home or workplace is well-protected.

This video from expert contractor Mike Holmes shows how to properly maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Below are five additional fire safety basics from Allstate for homeowners to remember.

• Check smoke detectors every month and replace any that have been around for 10 years or more. Make sure everyone knows that the piercing sound means danger, and they should escape quickly if they hear it.
• Position detectors thoughtfully. Place one on every level of your home and near areas where you and your family sleep.
• Inspect your electrical panels and outlets to determine if  professional outlet repair services are needed. Visit sites like mzelectric.com for professional electrical services.
• Teach children to not hide in closets or under beds when there is a fire. Tell them firefighters may look scary when they’re wearing their protective gear, but they are there to save you.
• Talk with your family and make sure everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire. Make sure you have at least two ways out of your house. Create a fire safety plan that includes a designated meeting place.
• Take an inventory of your home, creating a record of personal property. In addition to completing an inventory, take photos or videotape your items – it can help make the claims process easier and faster if you have photographic records. Allstate offers a Digital Locker home inventory app for anyone including non-customers to help keep track of your belongings.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, serving approximately 16 million households through its Allstate, Encompass, Esurance and Answer Financial brand names and Allstate Financial business segment. Allstate branded insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services are offered through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives, as well as via www.allstate.com, www.allstate.com/financial and 1-800 Allstate®, and are widely known through the slogan “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®.” In 2013, $29 million was given by The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners to support local communities. Allstate employees and agency owners donated 200,000 hours of service across the country.