Columbus Fire and Rescue has joined forces with Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs for the 22nd 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.
“The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most families are sleeping,” said Columbus Fire Chief Kenneth Moore. “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.”
Moore recommends residents use the extra hour saved from today”s 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.
Columbus Fire and Rescue will conduct a smoke detector battery exchange at all fire stations today through Nov. 8.
Bring an old 9-volt battery to any city of Columbus fire station, and they will exchange it for a new one while supplies last.
Batteries are funded through Energizer Battery and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
For more information about fire safety, call Columbus Fire and Rescue at 662-329-5121.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.