Friday, April 2, 2004

Time to change clock and battery

After a month of numerous fatal house fires throughout the state, Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John W. Oxendine is urging Georgians to change the batteries in their smoke alarms at the same time they change their clocks to daylight saving time April 4.

“We’ve had 62 fire deaths so far this year, with 24 in March,” Oxendine said. “This is the worst March in Georgia for fire fatalities since 1996. We can reduce the toll fire takes on life and property if we will take the time to keep that vital early warning system, a smoke alarm, functioning properly.”

In conjunction with the “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery” fire safety program sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the American Burn Association, Oxendine says the annual change from standard time to daylight saving time in the spring is a good time to make sure your smoke alarm is working as it should.

“If you have a smoke alarm, make sure it’s in working order,” Oxendine said. “Changing the battery every year and vacuuming dust from the device are easy ways to ensure continued protection. And while you’re thinking about fire safety, plan and rehearse an escape route your family can use in the event of fire.”

Daylight saving time begins Sunday at 2 a.m., when clocks are set ahead one hour.