When the clocks are changed to daylight savings time on Sunday, October 30, 2005, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reminds everyone to change the battery in all smoke alarms. Everyone should set their clocks back before going to bed.

In the United States, 19 of every 20 homes (95 percent) have at least one smoke alarm. Tragically, more than half of home fire deaths occur in the five percent with no alarm. Equally disturbing is the fact that in one quarter of reported fires in homes equipped with smoke alarms, the alarm did not work.

Changing smoke alarm batteries is one of the simplest, most effective ways to increase your chance of survival in a fire. Since the introduction of battery-powered home smoke alarms in the 1970’s the home fire death rate has been reduced by half.

The majority of home fires occur between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., when most people are asleep. The majority of home fire-related deaths are from smoke inhalation, not flames or burns. Maintaining smoke alarm batteries is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce the incidence of fire related injuries or fatalities.

The combination of properly working smoke alarms, a planned and practiced family escape plan, and basic home fire safety awareness has been the key to being safer.

Additional Safety Note: With the introduction of ten-year lithium batteries available for use in smoke alarms, replacement is not needed on an annual basis. However, monthly cleaning and testing remains an important safety measure.###

For more information, call Daniel L. Schmidt or Lieutenant Raul G. Castillo, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, 703-246-3801 and TTY 703-385-4419. Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request.