October 25, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2004-29) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org REMIND YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO MAKE A LIFESAVING CHANGE As the time change approaches this fall, the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department wants to remind residents to make another change that could save their lives. Changing the batteries in their smoke alarms. 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. 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 the 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. We also recommend replacing your smoke alarm every ten years. To save lives and prevent needless injuries in Mobile, the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department has joined forces once again with the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Energizer for the 17th year of the Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery campaign. The program urges all Americans to adopt a simple, lifesaving habit: Changing smoke alarms batteries when changing the clocks back to standard time each fall, this year on October 31. The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 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 working smoke alarm can give them extra seconds they need to get out safely. In addition, we recommend residents use the "extra" hour they save from the time change to test smoke alarms 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. ###