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It’s that time of year again. On Sunday, November 3, the clocks go back, the days get shorter and families get an extra precious hour of sleep. But what you may not know is that Daylight Savings is also a great time to check your smoke alarms to make sure the batteries are fresh. Did you know that having a working smoke alarm doubles your chances of surviving a fire?

For the best protection, install smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside every sleeping area, and in every bedroom. Smoke alarms should be mounted high on walls or ceilings and tested monthly. Check your batteries at least once a year. It's important to replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, even if alarms are wired directly into your home’s electrical system. You may also want to consider installing a smoke alarm that has a 10-year battery for more peace of mind.

Smoke alarms don’t last forever. They typically expire after 8-10 years. So if your alarm is more than 10 years old, it’s time to install a new one.

Tragically, fire can kill selectively. Those most at risk include:

■ Children — Approximately 600 children under the age of 20 die each year in home fires. Children under age five are at twice the risk of dying in a home fire. Eighty percent of fatal home fire victims who were children were killed in homes without working smoke alarms. Studies have shown children often do not wake to a typical smoke alarm. If you discover this to be true of your children, be sure to purchase an alarm that you can record your voice on, children are more likely to wake to your voice.

■ Seniors — Adults over age 75 are three times more likely to die in home fires than the rest of the population; those over 85 are 4.5 times more likely to die in a home fire. Many seniors are unable to escape quickly. If you have seniors in your life who might not hear as well as they used to, they may not wake to a typical alarm. There are smoke alarms designed for people who are hard of hearing.

■ Low-Income Households — Many low-income families are unable to afford batteries for their smoke alarms. These same households often rely on poorly installed, maintained or misused portable or area heating equipment — a main cause of fatal home fires. Many local fire departments have smoke alarms and batteries available.

Better yet, let us come to your house and check your smoke alarms for you. Redmond Fire Department received a grant and we have smoke alarms available for Redmond residents. Let us help you keep your family safe while you help us to stay safe.

If you are interested in having Redmond Fire conduct an informational Home Safety Visit with smoke alarm installation, please call 425.556.2264 or email Kristen Thorstenson at kmthorstenson@redmond.gov.  Visits will be scheduled by appointment only.