CLEVELAND –The Cleveland Division of Fire will sound its sirens around the city on Saturday, March 11 to signal to residents it is time to change smoke detector batteries as they adjust their clocks for Daylight Savings Time.
Working smoke alarms cut the risk of injuries and fatalities related to residential fires in half, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Providing early warning signals add critical extra seconds in an emergency. Although smoke alarms are in a large percentage of Cleveland homes, nearly one-third do not work because of worn or missing batteries.
In addition to urging residents to change smoke alarm batteries, the Cleveland Division of
Fire’s Public Education Office recommends that every resident take a few minutes for additional fire safety measures:
· Check that smoke alarms are working properly
· Practice an emergency escape route and plan two ways out of each room
· Designate a common meeting place outside of the home in case of fire
Local fire stations will have a limited supply of smoke detector batteries available with a maximum
of two per resident. Residents can stop by fire house beginning Saturday until 5 p.m. or until
supplies run out.
Those with 10-year smoke alarms should test their batteries but, for their safety, should not
attempt to change the battery. If the battery is not working, detectors should be properly disposed
of and replaced.
The “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery Campaign” is a national home fire safety program
sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association and endorsed locally by the Cleveland
Division of Fire and the American Red Cross.
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