TIME MOVES BACK AND CARY MOVES AHEAD ON FIRE SAFETY

CARY , NC – As the time change approaches on Sunday, October 30, the Town of Cary Fire Department is reminding residents to take a moment to make a lifesaving change – changing their batteries in their smoke alarms. 

“Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce home fire deaths,” said Fire Chief Allan Cain.  “Just a moment of your time now can give you and your family the extra seconds needed to get out safely.”

Although smoke alarms are present in 95 percent of American homes, 20 percent do not work due to worn or missing batteries.  Furthermore, an average of three children per day die in home fires, and 80 percent of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms.  The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are sleeping.

Chief Cain suggests that residents use the “extra” hour they save from the time change to test smoke alarms by pushing the test button, planning and practicing escape routes, and ensuring that a fire safety kit is accessible that includes working flashlights and fresh batteries.

The Town of Cary ’s efforts are a part of the 18^th Annual Change Your Clock Change Your Battery campaign, a national home fire safety program sponsored by Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.  This year, nearly 6,000 fire departments across the country are participating in the campaign that encourages all Americans to change their smoke alarm batteries annually.

For more, call (919) 460-4958 or visit www.townofcary.org.

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