Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, Nov. 2. At 2am Sunday, clocks should be reset to 1am. For the 27th year Energizer batteries and the International Association of Fire Chiefs are sponsoring the “Change Your Clock Change Your Battery” program.
Proponents say the message is simple and the habit can be lifesaving.
They encourage you to use the extra hour you “gain” from Daylight Saving Time to change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. They also hope you’ll test your alarms and remind friends, family, neighbors and fellow community members to do the same.
“Eighty percent of child fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms. It’s a tragic statistic that could be reduced by adopting the simple habit of the Change Your Clock Change Your Battery program,” said Fire Chief Mike Dalsing.
According to the National Fire Protection Agency, 71% of smoke alarms which failed to operate had missing, disconnected or dead 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.
“The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most families are sleeping,” said Chief Dalsing. “Smoke alarm maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and senior citizens are most at risk, and a working smoke alarm can give them the extra seconds they need to get out safely.”
Experts say home fires injure and kill thousands each year. Those most at risk include children and seniors. Home fires kill 500 children ages 14 and under each year. Roughly three‐quarters of child fire fatalities under age 15 occurred in homes without working smoke alarms. Adults 75 and older are 2.8 times more likely to die in a home fire.