Missouri fire officials urge residents to check smoke alarms as daylight saving time ends

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KBSI) — The Missouri Division of Fire Safety is encouraging residents to take steps to prevent home fires as daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 1.

Clocks will fall back one hour at 2 a.m., giving residents an opportunity to check smoke alarms, review fire escape plans and prepare for increased fire risks during the colder months.

Acting State Fire Marshal Matt Luetkemeyer said changing clocks should serve as a reminder to take additional precautions beyond replacing smoke alarm batteries.

“For decades, we’ve heard the saying ‘change the clock, change the batteries,’ and while it’s important to check smoke alarms, we encourage Missourians to go much further and also step up the precautions they take against fires and how they would respond to a fire,” Luetkemeyer said.

According to the Division of Fire Safety, December and January are among the most dangerous months for residential fires because of increased heating equipment use and holiday activities.

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, with Thanksgiving accounting for the highest number of cooking-related fires each year.

Officials said cooking fires on Thanksgiving can increase by more than 300% compared with the daily average.

Residents are encouraged to remain in the kitchen while cooking, keep flammable materials away from stovetops and turn off burners when leaving the room.

Heating equipment accounts for more than 10% of home fires, according to state fire officials.

Space heaters and heating stoves are responsible for nearly half of heating-related fires and almost three-quarters of heating-related fire deaths.

Officials recommend keeping flammable materials at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, avoiding power strips when using space heaters and turning off portable heaters when leaving a room.

Residents should also test carbon monoxide alarms monthly and never use an oven to heat their homes.

Fire officials said candle-related fires increase significantly during the winter holidays, particularly around Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Residents are encouraged to use flameless candles when possible and keep burning candles at least 1 foot away from flammable materials.

Holiday decorations can also pose fire risks.

Nearly half of Christmas tree and decoration fires involve electrical equipment or decorative lighting, according to the division.

Officials recommend keeping Christmas trees at least 3 feet from heat sources, ensuring trees do not block exits and turning off decorative lights before leaving home or going to bed.

The Division of Fire Safety is also encouraging families to create and practice home fire escape plans.

Each household member should know at least two ways out of every room, and families should establish a designated outdoor meeting location.

Officials recommend keeping exits clear, checking that windows open easily and reviewing escape procedures with overnight guests.

Fire officials said planning ahead and taking preventive measures can help reduce the risk of injuries and deaths from residential fires.

Additional fire prevention information is available through the Missouri Division of Fire Safety.