When the clocks are changed to daylight savings time on Sunday, March 11, 2007, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department reminds everyone to change the battery in all smoke alarms. Everyone should set their clocks back one-hour before going to bed Saturday night.

In the United States, 19 of every 20 homes have at least one smoke alarm. Tragically, more than half of all home fire deaths occur in the five percent with no smoke alarms. Equally disturbing is that 25 percent of all reported fires in homes equipped with smoke alarms, the smoke alarms did not work.

Maintaining smoke alarm batteries is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce the incidence of fire related injuries or fatalities.

Nationwide a house fire occurs every 85 seconds. 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.

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 10-year lithium batteries available for use in smoke alarms, replacement is not needed on an annual basis. However, regular cleaning and testing remains an important safety measure.

To save lives and to prevent needless injuries, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department urges everyone to start a life-saving habit this year: When You Change Your Clock . . . Change Your Smoke Alarm Batteries.