CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS, CHANGE YOUR BATTERIES

Change Smoke Detector Batteries When Changing Clocks 

Back From Daylight Savings Time

Director of Commerce Gary C. Suhadolnik and State Fire Marshal Robert R. Rielage recommend that Ohioans make a potentially lifesaving change when changing their clocks back from Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, October 31st:  Change the batteries in your smoke detectors! 

In conjunction with the annual public education program “Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries,” the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of State Fire Marshal and local fire departments across the state encourage Ohioans to make it a habit to change the batteries in their smoke detectors on a regular basis.

"We hope to continually illustrate to the public the grave importance of installing and maintaining smoke detectors," said Marshal Rielage.  "The facts speak clearly: working smoke detectors save lives.  They also double individuals’ chances of escaping a nighttime fire.  I encourage all Ohioans to ensure that their smoke detectors are properly placed, regularly tested and maintained.  By taking the time to test them monthly, you may save your life, the lives of your family members and your property if fire ever breaks out in your home."

According to Marshal Rielage, firefighters surprisingly find that, although many smoke detectors retail for less than $10, they are often not present in homes or are not operational.  In the 13,836 residential fires reported to Rielage’s office for 1998, smoke detectors were not present nearly 26% of the time.  In 15% of the fires, a smoke detector was present but did not operate.  One hundred eleven Ohioans died and another 871 were injured in residential fires in 1998.

Smoke detectors, when properly installed and maintained, provide early warning when fire occurs.  For the greatest protection, install a smoke detector outside of each bedroom or sleeping area and on every level of your home, and have an escape plan ready if the alarm sounds. 

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Test detectors at least once each month to ensure that the detectors are working properly.  Batteries in battery-operated detectors should be changed at least once yearly or whenever a detector “chirps” to signal low battery power.  Never “borrow” a smoke detector’s battery for another use – a disabled detector cannot save your life!

“Smoke detectors are useless unless they are working,” the Fire Marshal said.  “Dead or missing batteries from detectors provide no protection at all.”

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The Division of State Fire Marshal is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce.  The Fire Marshal's Office trains firefighters, enforces the Ohio Fire Code, investigates the cause and origins of fires and explosions, provides fire prevention programs, and performs other services.  Other Commerce divisions enforce regulations regarding industrial compliance, financial institutions, liquor, real estate, securities, auctioneers, unclaimed funds and private investigators, among others.  The department's internet address is www.com.state.oh.us

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