You need to do more than turn your clocks back an hour for the end of daylight savings time this weekend. You also need to act to protect your life and the life of your family. It is the “Change your clocks; Change your batteries” campaign to remind you to change the battery in all your smoke alarms. The statistics are telling:
- Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms
- More than one-third (38 percent) of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present.
- The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half with working smoke alarms.
- Half of home fire deaths occur between 11pm-7am when most people are sleeping
The Burnett Burn Center at The University of Kansas Health System reports it sees the victims of fires in houses without working smoke alarms. Jennifer Parks is the nurse manager of the Burn Center. “Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom,” Parks said. “Every level of the home including the basement needs an alarm and bigger homes may need more alarms for a minimal level of protection.”
In the video, Parks offers more advice on when to test alarms, why knowing the alarm’s manufacture date is key and why families should have and practice an escape plan.
