Daylight-saving time ends Sunday, November 4, and marks the 25th anniversary of the "Change Your Clock Change Your Battery" program. This event prompts residents to change and test the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
The Columbus Fire Department reminds citizens that one easy step can save their life and the lives of family, friends, and neighbors. Fire Chief Dean Hefti encourages individuals to use the extra hour they gain from daylight-saving time to change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and test to make sure the devices are in operational order.
Communities nationwide witness tragic home fire deaths each year, but everyone can work together to help reduce the number of home fire fatalities. Non-working smoke alarms rob residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms: worn or missing batteries.
Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, testing those alarms and reminding others to do the same are some of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. Additionally, the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends that smoke alarms in homes should be replaced every 10 years and having both ionization and photo electric smoke alarms are best to alert people to all types of home fires.