Missouri State Fire Marshall advises public to use extra hour this weekend for fire prevention and escape plans

Day Light Savings Time ends this weekend, which means clocks will fall back an hour at  2 a.m. on Sunday.

Missouri State Fire Marshall Time Bean encourages everyone to use this extra hour to make sure their homes are ready for the winter.

Fire Marshal Bean encourages citizens to test and make sure their smoke alarm is working properly, and have a pre-made escape strategy in the event that the family needs to evacuate from their home.

Marshal Bean states in a news release, “Never substitute extension cords for permanent wiring or use them for more than one appliance. Make sure extension cords or power strips are rated for the product to be plugged in. Never cover an extension cord with a rug or carpet; it prevents heat from escaping. Multi plug devices and power strips are designed to be plugged directly into electrical outlets; they should never be chained together.”

Be wary also of space heaters, and never leave one on when you leave a room.

According to Fire Marshal Bean, “three out of five home fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms.”