The Cutchogue Fire Department, Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs with an Important Reminder: On November 7th, Change Your Clock Change Your Battery

Use the Extra Hour This Weekend to remind family and friends to Change Their Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries and Make a Positive Change in Our Community

Daylight-saving time ends Sunday, November 7th, and the Change Your Clock Change Your Battery program, sponsored by Energizer which reminds us to change and test the batteries in our smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. This message is simple and the habit can be lifesaving.

The Cutchogue Fire Department reminds our residents that one easy step can help save their lives and the lives of those around them. Everyone is encouraged to use the extra hour they "gain" from daylight-saving time to change the batteries in their own smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, test the alarms and remind friends, family, neighbors and fellow community members to do the same.

Communities nationwide witness tragic home fire deaths each year, but, everyone can work together to help reduce the number of home fire fatalities. Non-working smoke alarms rob residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms: worn or missing batteries.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that 71% of smoke alarms which failed to operate had missing, disconnected or dead batteries. This reinforces how important it is to take this time each year to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Energizer would like to remind you of the importance of batteries not only in smoke alarms, but also the full range of devices that help keep us safe, secure and comfortable in our homes. Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, testing those alarms and reminding others to do the same are some of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries.

Additionally, it is recommended that smoke alarms in homes be replaced every 10 years and to have both ionization and photo electric smoke alarms to alert people to all types of home fires.