Working smoke alarms cut risk of home fire deaths in half

INDIANA, October 31, 2025 — Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 2, and the American Red Cross encourages everyone to test their smoke alarms as they turn their clocks back to make sure the devices are working.

Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half as you only have about two minutes to safely get out. Every second counts when there’s a home fire and the sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get to a safer place. When daylight saving time ends this weekend, test your smoke alarms to help prevent a tragedy in your home.

So far this year, local Red Cross volunteers have responded to help 4,326 people in the Indiana Region affected by 1,144 home fires. The Red Cross responds to about 65,000 disasters annually across the country, and the majority are home fires.

SMOKE ALARMS When turning your clocks back this weekend, test your smoke alarms and replace the batteries if needed. Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to create and practice with your family, or download the free Red Cross Emergency app by searching “American Red Cross” in app stores.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.
• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. Components such as sensors can become less sensitive over time. Follow your alarm’s manufacturer instructions.
• Practice your two-minute home fire escape plan. Make sure everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to escape a burning home before it’s too late.
• Include at least two ways to get out of every room and select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone can meet.

 IF YOU NEED HELP If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. Visit redcross.org/inhomefire for more information and to request a smoke alarm installation appointment.

HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN SAVES LIVES Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community partners, has saved at least 2,508 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visitredcross.org/homefires.

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS PARTNER State Farm^® is the National Sound the Alarm Sponsor. Their funding helps our efforts to build safer, stronger, better-educated communities. For decades, State Farm has teamed up with the Red Cross in support of home safety, disaster preparedness and relief efforts. State Farm is committed to helping individuals and families manage everyday risks like home fires by sponsoring Sound the Alarm.

WEEKLY DEATH REPORT SEPTEMBER 29 TO OCTOBER 5, 2025

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GARY, IN – Today, Governor Mike Braun joined DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in announcing that a successful 287(g) operation with Indiana State Police has resulted in the arrest of 223 illegal aliens on Indiana highways near the Illinois state line—including 146 truck drivers. This operation took place in Northwest Indiana and is part of Chicago-based Operation Midway Blitz.  

Recent cases of illegal aliens driving commercial vehicles involved in fatal crashes has brought attention to this issue. For example, in August, ICE lodged an arrest detainer for an illegal alien following his arrest for three counts of vehicular homicide while driving a semi-truck in Florida, and last week, ICE lodged an arrest detainer for a criminal illegal alien who killed three people in California while driving an 18-wheeler under the influence.  

Criminal activity associated with the 223 illegal aliens arrested during this effort included driving under the influence, drug trafficking, assault, child abuse, and burglary. Over 40 drivers had been issued Commercial Drivers Licenses. 
 

“Indiana is the Crossroads of America, and that’s something we’re proud of — but it also means we must stay vigilant about those using our interstates for crime and thus endangering our communities. The safety of our state is our top priority, and we’ll keep working with our federal partners to keep Hoosiers — and Americans — safe.” — Governor Mike Braun

“Far too many innocent Americans have been killed by illegal aliens driving semi-trucks and big rigs. And yet, sanctuary states around the country have been issuing illegal aliens commercial driver’s licenses. The Trump Administration is ending the chaos. Thanks to President Trump, Operation Midway Blitz has already removed over 140 illegal alien truck drivers in Indiana. Thanks to the brave men and women of ICE and the Indiana State Police are working nonstop to get criminal illegal aliens out of our communities and off our roads.” — Secretary Kristi Noem

“ICE launched Operation Midway Blitz to remove illegal alien threats to public safety, which is exactly what we have done in Chicago. We recognized from the start that this must include protecting roadways carrying interstate traffic and cargo. Sanctuary policies like those in Illinois sadly don’t recognize borders, and ICE and the Indiana State Police have successfully arrested hundreds of illegal alien truck drivers who should not be operating on our highways. In recent weeks, we have seen illegal semi-truck drivers responsible for significant loss of life across the country. This was preventable, and that is precisely why we are working to ensure this doesn’t happen in Indiana or Illinois.” — ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons

“This operation wouldn’t have been as successful as it was without our strong 287(g) partnership with the Indiana State Police. Protecting communities from criminal illegal aliens also includes those posing safety threats on our interstates. When cities and states partner with us, communities are safer, and as this operation has proven, our efforts in Indiana extend protection to those living in the sanctuary state of Illinois as well.” — ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan