CHANGE YOUR CLOCK CHANGE YOUR BATTERY

Posted by Geri Ventura -

March 6, 2009 - For 21-years the International Association of Fire Chiefs, in cooperation with the National Fire Protection Association, has promoted the Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery program. Smoke Detectors Save Lives has been the theme phrase used by Fire Protection Professional for the past 40-years.

The following statistics point to the vital importance of having a working smoke detector in every home in the United States:

* Smoke is the killer. Deaths due to residential fires are nearly 100% caused by smoke inhalation, and victims succumb to the fire long before the flames reach them.

* Since the advent of residential smoke alarms in the 1970s, home fire fatalities in the United States have been reduced by 50%.

* In 2008, 890 fire deaths were a result of either no smoke alarms or an inoperative smoke alarm in a home.

* 65% of all fire deaths in homes are a result of either no smoke alarms or an inoperative smoke alarm.

* A recent survey indicated that over 2/3 of homes in the United States rely on battery powered only smoke alarms.

Fire Officials agree that the one most important public life saving message is to assure that all homes in their jurisdictions have adequate and operating smoke detectors covering all sleeping areas.

The Fire Chiefs Association of Santa Barbara County asks all of our residents that if you don't have smoke detectors in your homes, get and install them. If you do have smoke detectors please take this moment when changing your clocks to change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

If you have questions, or require any help, do not hesitate to contact Montecito Fire at 805-969-7762.

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