Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery

Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 14

The Farmington Hills Fire Department is joining fire departments all across America in the annual “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery” campaign.
This simple program is designed to save lives by encouraging people to change their smoke alarm battery when they change their clocks forward this month.

The time change takes place this year on Sunday, March 14. Farmington Hills Fire Lt. Denny Hughes is encouraging all residents to adopt this simple, lifesaving habit of changing the batteries in their smoke alarms. “It’s a simple and inexpensive way to protect your family and home,” said Hughes.

Since 1987, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and Energizer batteries have joined forces to raise awareness about the issue that nonworking
smoke alarms are often responsible for home fire deaths and injuries. Now, thanks to the participation of residents all across America, and the dedication of more than 6,000 Fire Departments, home fire deaths continue to be on the decline. Millions of families nationwide are hearing the “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery” message.

Although smoke alarms are present in 95% of American homes, 20% do not work due to worn or missing batteries – this means nearly 19 million homes are at needless risk. The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are sleeping. A working smoke alarm can often provide critical extra seconds people need to get out safely.

The Farmington Hills Fire Department has a free smoke detector installation program. “We’ve installed hundreds of smoke alarms over the past 24 years, and will continue to do so until everyone who needs them has them,” said Lt. Hughes.

For information about the program, contact Lt. Hughes at Farmington Hills Fire headquarters at 248-871-2800 or e-mail him at dhughes@fhgov.com.