East Ridge Fire and Rescue, along with the International Association of Fire Chiefs has put out some helpful information about home safety.

As everyone prepares to “fall back” as daylight savings time changes to standard time, authorities want you to change the batteries in your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm.

Here are 10 things people can do to keep safe as the weather turns chilly and various heat sources are utilized in one’s home.

_ Practice smoke-alarm maintenance for a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths.

_ When you change your clock change your battery in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. This saves lives.

_ Test your smoke alarms monthly to make sure they are working.

 _ Have at least one working smoke alarm on each level of your home.

_ Plan, discuss and practice a fire escape route with your family.

_ Do not rely on your sense of smell alone to alert you that you and your family are in danger of being trapped during a fire.

_ Be sure not to ignore the “chirping” sound your smoke alarm makes when maintenance is required.

_ Keep fire-starting materials away from children, including lighters, matches, cigarettes, cigars and pipes.

_ Use flashlights rather than candles to light your home during power outages.

_ Space heaters need space. Portable space heaters need a three-foot clearance from anything that can burn and should always be turned off when leaving the room or going to sleep.