Fire officials are reminding the public to check on their smoke alarms when they move their clocks back an hour over the weekend.
Click to hear WTAW’s Chris Clift talk with College Station Fire Department Public Education Officer Cindy Giedraitis:
Press release from the City of College Station:
More than 3,000 people annually die in home fires, and from 2003 to 2006 no smoke alarms were present in 40% of home fire deaths, and 23% of smoke alarms in home fires did not sound.
College Station Fire Department is encouraging all citizens to take the time this weekend to test their smoke alarms. Cynthia Giedraitis, CS Fire Department Public Education Officer, said, “A good rule of thumb is to test your smoke alarms twice a year – and as a reminder, to do so during each time change for Daylight Saving in the fall and spring.” Giedraitis indicated some citizens may not need to necessarily change the battery in the alarm, as has been the traditional safety message. She said newer alarms have lithium batteries with 10-year life spans. Despite that, Giedraitis says it is always good to regularly test the alarm, whether it be a newer model or one that uses the 9-volt battery.
Daylight Saving ends Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 a.m. and clocks are to be set back one hour.
College Station Fire Department is supporting the U.S. Fire Administration’s 2009 campaign of “Install. Inspect. Protect.” which emphasizes that smoke alarms save lives. In addition, as a part of October’s “Fire Prevention Month”, College Station Fire Department held public education activities throughout schools and at community events.
This year, the city earned state and national awards for its series of fire safety video PSAs that were produced in partnership with the local United Way. These videos can be viewed at www.cstx.gov/fire and selecting the Fire PSAs link.
For more information, contact Cindy Giedraitis, Public Education Officer at 979-764-3712 or at cgiedraitis@cstx.gov.