|
Reminder To Residents: Change Clocks And Batteries
JACKSON - As the time change approaches on November 4, Fire Official Frank McDonnell 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. An average of three children per day die in home fires and 80 percent of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms.
Nonworking smoke alarms rob residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most commonly cited cause of nonworking 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 Jackson, the Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety District 1 and 3 has joined forces with Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs for the 20th year of the Change Your Clock Change Your Battery campaign. The program urges all Americans to adopt a simple, lifesaving habit: changing smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries when changing clocks back to standard time each fall, this year on November 4.
"The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., when most families are sleeping," says Fire Official McDonnell. "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, McDonnell recommends residents use the "extra" hour they save from the time change to test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors by pushing the test button, planning "two ways out" and practicing escape routes with the entire family. Families should also prepare a fire safety kit that includes working flashlights and fresh batteries.
Tragically, fire can kill selectively. Those most at risk include:
Children - Approximately 1,000 children under the age of 20 die each year in home fires. Children under age 5 are at twice the risk of dying in a home fire. Eighty percent of fatal home fire victims who were children were killed in homes without working smoke alarms.
Seniors - Adults over age 75 are three times more likely to die in home fires than the rest of the population; those over 85 are 4.5 times more likely to die in a home fire. Many seniors are unable to escape quickly.
Low Income Households - Many low income families are unable to afford batteries for their smoke alarms. These same households often rely on poorly installed, maintained or misused portable or area heating equipment - a main cause of fatal home fires.
Having a working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home dramatically increases your chances of survival. Smoke alarm batteries need to be tested every month and changed with new ones at least once a year. Also, consider replacing the entire smoke alarm every 10 years or as the manufacturer guidelines recommend.
Please contact Fire Official Frank McDonnell to receive your free smoke detector at 732-928- 1666 ext. 14.
| 
