City of Bridgeport West Virginia, Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs bring an

 

Important Reminder: On November 2, Change Your Clock Change Your Battery®

 

Let Daylight Saving Time serve as a reminder for fire safety and prevention

 

City of Bridgeport West Virginia 10/30/2014 — Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, Nov. 2, and marks the 27th year of the Change Your Clock Change Your Battery® program, sponsored by Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The Change Your Clock Change Your Battery® Program reminds us to change and test the batteries in our smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. The message is simple and the habit can be lifesaving.

 

The Bridgeport Fire Department reminds our residents that one simple step can help save their lives and the lives of those around them. Everyone is encouraged to use the extra hour they “gain” from Daylight Saving Time to change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, test 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 Robert Seccuro, Fire Chief.

 

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.

 

Why This Program is Lifesaving

 

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

 

 

Said Robert Seccuro “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.”

 

Tragically, home fires injure and kill thousands each year. Those most at risk include:

 

• Children — 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.

 

• Seniors — Adults 75 and older are 2.8 times more likely to die in a home fire.

Pass it On

 

Twenty?seven ago, Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs recognized a disturbing trend that many home fire fatalities were taking place in homes without working smoke alarms. So through the years, the two have worked together along with thousands of fire departments nationwide on the Change Your Clock Change Your Battery® program to help reduce and hopefully, someday eliminate this number by reminding communities to check, change and test their smoke alarm batteries.

 

Twenty-seven years ago, we did not have Facebook, Twitter, email and other tools to quickly and easily share this kind of information. Now we all have countless ways to spread the word, so activate your network of friends and connections to help save lives in connection with the time change.

 

A working smoke detector doubles your chance of surviving a home fire. In addition, people are encouraged to use their extra hour gained to help out at a local fire department. Eighty percent of fire departments are volunteer fire departments and they can often use extra hands to help with non-firefighting related tasks. Reach out to your local fire department and see how you can help.

 

For more information about fire safety, call the Bridgeport Fire Department at (304)-842-8252 or contact your local fire department.

 

Source: Fire statistics were obtained from reports by the Fire Analysis and Research Division of the National Fire Protection Association. See www.nfpa.org for more information.

 

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