October 29, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2009-63) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS, CHANGE YOUR BATTERIES Mobile Fire-Rescue Officials want to remind everyone that when they change their clocks back an hour this weekend for Daylight Saving Time to also take the time to test and change the battery in their smoke alarms. To make it easier for people to do just that Mobile Fire-Rescue Department, with the help of Energizer® Max® brand batteries and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, will be giving away smoke alarm batteries, while supplies last, starting Friday, October 30 from each of it’s fire station locations in the city. Also starting this evening (Thursday, October 29) the department will be giving away batteries, while supplies last, to those attending the Greater Gulf State Fair at the department’s safety booth in the main exhibit area. The Change Your Clock Change Your Battery program was started 22 years ago by Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Today, more than 6,200 fire departments across the country participate in the campaign and urge their communities to use the extra hour they save this weekend to change the batteries in their smoke alarms and talk with their families about fire safety. Simple Home Fire Safety Tips: • Practice smoke alarm maintenance for a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. • Test your smoke alarms monthly to make sure they are working. • Have at least one working smoke alarm on each level of your home. • Plan, discuss and practice a fire escape plan with your family. • Do not rely on your sense of smell to alert you that you are in danger of being trapped during a fire. • Be sure not to ignore the chirping sound your smoke alarm makes when maintenance is required. • Keep fire-starting materials away from children, including lighters, matches, cigarettes, cigars and pipes. • Use flashlights rather than candles to light your home during power outages. • Space heaters need space. Portable space heaters need a three-foot (one meter) clearance from anything that can burn and should always be turned off when leaving the room or going to sleep. ###