Get ready to spring forward for Daylight Saving Time!

Set your clock ahead one hour on Sunday, March 11. Use this as a reminder to push the test button on your alarm. If your alarm does not sound, you should replace the battery.

A smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all. Take care of the alarm according to its instructions. Follow these tips from the U.S. Fire Administration :

• Smoke alarm powered by a nine-volt battery: Test the alarm each month. Replace the batteries every year. Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years.
• Smoke alarm powered by a 10-year lithium battery: Test the alarm each month. Since you cannot replace the lithium battery, replace the entire smoke alarm according to the alarm instructions.
• Smoke alarm hardwired into your home's electrical system: Test the alarm each month. Replace the backup battery every year. Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years.

Check the expiration dates of your emergency supplies during Daylight Saving Time, too. Replace any stocked goods that will expire in the next six months. Use the old supplies before they expire. Some examples of items that can expire are:

• Water
• Food
• Prescription medications
• First-aid supplies
• Batteries

For more information on emergency supplies, visit Ready.gov .

T he Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched a new Preparedness Portal . Join the online community today to register your events and connect with preparedness programs!

Visit the  FEMA Preparedness Portal to log in or create an account. If you have registered a Prepareathon ™  event in the past, there is no need to create a new account. Simply enter your existing username and password. 

If you need assistance, please contact at FEMA- Prepare@fema.dhs.gov .

To enhance your FEMA preparedness experience, remember to also:

• Sign up for FEMA email updates .
• Download the FEMA app free at the App Store and Google Play .
• Learn what to do before, during, and after each type of emergency.
• Be the help until help arrives .
• Strengthen youth preparedness .
• Find activities near you.
• Read stories about community preparedness.

Talking about smoke alarms, from April 28 through May 13, 2018, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program Office, the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign , and local fire departments will install smoke alarms for local Sound the Alarm events.

These fire safety events will occur in every state. Major events will take place in more than 100 communities nationwide. This program offers local CERT programs the chance to attract and engage volunteers.

Consider volunteering yourself or mobilizing your team for a local Sound the Alarm event. The Red Cross handles the training, logistics, communications, and liability. CERT programs can use this as a simple and easy way to engage their communities, make a real difference, and promote CERT!

Joining is simple! Follow these steps to sign up as a Sound the Alarm volunteer:

1. Go to www.redcross.org/sound-the-alarm .
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page. Enter your zip code to find a nearby event.
3. Scroll down again. Click the region nearest you.
4. Scroll down again to “Volunteer Opportunities.” Click the event that works for you. Then, fill out the short application.
5. Be sure to type “CERT team/program name” in the Group/Organization field so FEMA can recognize your team.

Registration is open now!

There are just 10 days left to encourage a young person you know to join FEMA's Youth Preparedness Council (YPC). The YPC is open to students in grades 8-11 across the Nation. If you know a good candidate, encourage them to apply.

Benefits of being a YPC member include:

• Designing and conducting local and national preparedness projects;
• Adding a youth viewpoint on emergency preparedness;
• Helping prepare their local area for emergencies;
• Meeting with FEMA regularly; and
• Giving input to FEMA leadership and staff.

Adults working with youth should share the application . Applicants should submit a complete form , provide two letters of recommendation, and their academic records.

Applications are due March 18, 2018 . For more information, visit the Youth Preparedness Council website.