On Monday, Nov. 1, Energizer Batteries and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) are teaming up on the “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery®” program to remind families of a simple task that could make the difference in surviving a home fire.
Serving as a reminder for 22 years, the “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery” program now incorporates more than 6,200 fire departments nationwide to encourage families to change the batteries in their smoke alarms when changing their clocks from Daylight Saving Time back to Standard Time.
In 2009, Daylight Saving Time ends on Nov. 1. You should set your clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. local daylight time on Nov. 1, which then becomes 1 a.m. local standard time. Also on Nov. 1, remember to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms, as well as carbon monoxide detectors, and check to see if you have enough flashlights and batteries to use during a power outage.
Why is this program life-saving?
The National Fire Protection Association reports that a home fire death occurs somewhere in the nation approximately every three hours. In fact, home fires kill 540 children, 14 years old and under, each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Having a working smoke alarm can provide those crucial extra seconds to escape a burning home. Therefore, it is critical for families to adopt the life-saving habit of the “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery®” program to make sure they take this one simple step to help keep their families safe.
Fire Facts
• 96 percent of American homes have at least one smoke alarm, but 19 percent of all homes do not have at least one working smoke alarm, mostly due to missing or dead batteries.
• Nuisance activations were the leading cause of disabled smoke alarms. Cooking fumes and steam can cause a smoke alarm to sound. Nuisance alarms can be prevented by moving the smoke alarm farther from kitchens or bathrooms. A chirping smoke alarm means the battery is dying.
• On average, home fires kill 540 children ages 14 and under each year
• Children ages 5 and under are 1.5 times as likely as the population as a whole to die in home fires.
• Seniors age 75 and older are three times more likely to die in a home fire.
• From 11 p.m.-7 a.m. are the peak alarm times for home fire deaths – when people tend to be asleep and the house is likely to be dark.
• Approximately every three hours, a home fire death occurs somewhere in the nation.
• 40 percent of home fire deaths result from fires in homes without working smoke alarms.
• Only 23 percent of U.S. families have developed and practiced a home fire escape plan to ensure they could escape quickly and safely. Developing a family emergency escape plan can be crucial to everyone’s safety.
• Smoke alarms don’t last forever. They should be replaced at least every 10 years.
Carbon Monoxide Facts
• Carbon monoxide is sometimes called the “the silent killer.” It is colorless, odorless and tasteless. The National Safety Council reports that almost 700 people die each year as a result of unintentional poisoning by gases or vapors in non-fire situations. Carbon monoxide was involved in the majority of these deaths.
Flashlight Facts
• Candles are the third leading cause of injuries from home fires, following cooking and heating.
• When your power goes out, use flashlights instead of candles.
• Use the time change to check the batteries in your flashlights.
