October 26, 2000 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH100072) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (334) 208-5806/Fax: (334) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@ci.mobile.al.us IT'S TIME TO CHANGE SMOKE ALARM BATTERIES As the fall time change approaches, Mobile Fire-Rescue Department wants to remind residents to make another change that could save their lives. Changing the batteries in their smoke alarms. An average of three children a day die in home fires and 82 percent of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Non-working smoke alarms rob residents of the protective benefits home safety devices were designed to provide. The most commonly 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 smoke alarms be replaced every ten years. To save lives and prevent injuries in Mobile, Mobile Fire-Rescue has joined forces with the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Energizer brand batteries for the 13th year of the "Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery" campaign. The program urges all Americans to adopt a simple, lifesaving habit: changing smoke alarm batteries when changing back to standard time on Sunday, October 29, 2000. 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 those escape routes with the entire family. Art work and additional information can be found at http://www.energizer.com or http://www.ci.mobile.al.us/firedept/ ###