Change clocks, batteries

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March 15, 2010

Staff Reports The Journal-Register Mon Mar 15, 2010, 01:47 PM EDT

As the time change approaches Sunday, the Medina Fire Department wants to remind residents to make another change that could save their lives — changing the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Communities nationwide witness tragic home fire deaths each year. Approximately every three hours, a home fire death occurs somewhere in the nation, and 80 percent of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms.

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 is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, working smoke alarms nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire. Additionally, the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends replacing your smoke alarms every 10 years.

To save lives and prevent needless injuries in our community, the Medina Fire Department is reminding residents to “Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries” this weekend.

The program urges all Americans to adopt a simple, lifesaving habit: changing smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries when changing clocks ahead to daylight saving time each spring, this year on March 14. Americans are encouraged again to change the batteries during the fall time change Nov. 7.

The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most families are sleeping. 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.

In addition, the fire department reminds the community that last month’s "Amanda's Law" took effect in New York state. This new law requires a carbon monoxide detector in virtually every home in the state.

If you still do not have a CO detector in your home, please consider purchasing one this weekend while you change the batteries in your smoke detector.

Taking a few minutes this weekend to change the battery in your smoke detector or calling the Medina Fire Department to get smoke detectors installed in your home could save you a lifetime of regret. Remember, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire.

To make sure all Village of Medina residents have smoke detectors in their homes, the Medina Fire Department will provide and install, free of charge, up to two smoke detectors per dwelling. The Medina Fire Department recognizes the importance early detection plays in saving lives and property and wants to ensure all Village of Medina residents take basic steps to ensure fire safety.

Installing and maintaining smoke detectors in the home is a very simple life saving measuring, therefore, the Medina Fire Department urges any Village resident in need of a smoke detector to participate in this program.

Smoke detectors can be requested by contacting the Medina Fire Department at 798-1661. A firefighter will take your name and address and arrange a time for your installation and fire safety discussion to take place.

For more information on smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire safety, visit www.medinafire.com.

Jeff Elsenheimer Jr. is public information officer for the Medina Fire Department.

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