ATLANTA – Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens reminds Georgians that when they change their clocks to daylight saving time this Sunday, they should also change the batteries in their smoke alarms.
Hudgens said the annual change from standard time to daylight saving time is a great opportunity to make sure your smoke alarm is working as it should.
“Every year in Georgia there are fire fatalities in homes that didn’t have smoke alarms, or where the alarms didn’t function because of dead batteries,” Hudgens said. “If you have a smoke alarm, make sure it’s in working order. Changing the battery at least twice every year and cleaning dust from the device are easy ways to ensure continued protection of your family and your property. Having a working smoke alarm doubles the chances you will survive a fire in your home.”
So far in 2013, there have been 20 residential fires that resulted in 28 fatalities. There was no evidence of a working smoke alarm in 16 of those fires.
Daylight saving time begins Sunday, March 10, at 2 a.m., when clocks are set ahead one hour.
Post a Comment
