Take the Life Safety Pledge: Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery

For Immediate Release: November 3, 2011 

As residents prepare to change their clocks back one hour this Sunday, November 6^th, the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) would also like to remind citizens to change the battery in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. This pledge to “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery” is one easy step that every family can take to save their lives and the lives of those around them.  

“All too often our firefighters and paramedics respond to fires in homes that do not have a working smoke detector,” said Fire Chief William Goddard. “This past summer, a Howard County resident also died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning; the carbon monoxide detector in his home had dead batteries. These tragedies can be reduced if everyone remembers to ‘Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery.’”  

In addition to changing your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries this weekend, HCDFRS recommends that residents use the “extra” hour they save to:  

• Dust or vacuum smoke alarms when you change the batteries. 
• Push the test button and test alarms once a month using the test button. 
• Replace the entire alarm if it's more than 10 years old or doesn't work properly when tested. 
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, and both inside and outside of sleeping areas. 
• Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout your home so that when one sounds, they all sound. Interconnected alarms are available at most stores that sell smoke alarms. 
• Make sure everyone in your home understands the warning of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond. 
• Prepare and practice two escape plans so that you and your loved ones can get out of your home safely in the event of a fire. 
• Plan to meet in a place a safe distance from the fire and where first responders can easily see you. 

HCDFRS also offers free batteries to those in need of financial assistance. For more information on fire prevention tips or to request free batteries, contact the Office of the Fire Marshal at 410-313-6040