CHECK AND CHANGE

Change Your Clock – Change Your Smoke Detector Battery

Daylight saving time takes place the first weekend of November. As residents push their clocks back an hour, the Cosumnes Community Services District (CSD) Fire Department reminds them to make another change that could save lives - changing the batteries in their smoke detectors.

The simple act of changing your home's smoke detector battery can cut a family's risk of dying in a home fire by nearly half. As such, the Cosumnes CSD Fire Department joins the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and Fire Departments across the country in implementing the "Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery" public education campaign.

While most of newer homes operate on electric smoke detection systems with battery back-up, older dwellings rely solely upon battery-powered detectors. Fire officials encourage replacing the batteries in all detectors at least once a year and testing smoke detectors monthly to ensure that they are operating properly. The IAFC further recommends that detectors more than 10 years old should be replaced altogether.

"The early warning provided by smoke detectors can mean the difference between a successful escape and a tragic loss - especially for young children and senior adults who are most at risk of dying in a home fire," explained Cosumnes Fire Marshal, George Apple.

Seniors or other individuals within Elk Grove and Galt needing assistance with replacing their smoke detector batteries may contact the Cosumnes CSD Fire Department Administration Office at (916) 405-7100 or (866) 598-FIRE (toll-free) to arrange for assistance from Fire Department personnel. Additional fire safety tips may also be found on the National Fire Protection Association web site at www.nfpa.org.