October 24, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2006-48) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org “CHANGE YOUR CLOCK, CHANGE YOUR BATTERY” As the time change approaches Sunday, October 29, the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department wants to remind residents to make another change that could save their lives – changing the batteries in their smoke alarms. Communities nationwide witness tragic home fire deaths each year. An average of three children per day die in home fires and 80 percent of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Non-working smoke alarms rob residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most common cited cause of non-working smoke alarms: worn or missing batteries. Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, working smoke alarms nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire. Additionally it is recommended that you replace your smoke alarm every ten years. To save lives and prevent needless injuries the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department is once again participating in the “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery” campaign for the 19th year. The program urges all Americans to adopt a simple, lifesaving habit: changing smoke alarm batteries when changing clocks back to standard time this year on October 29th. In addition it is recommended that residents use the “extra” hour they save from the time change to test smoke alarms by pushing the test button, planning “two ways out” and practicing escape routes with the entire family. ###