Turning Clocks Forward = Change Smoke Alarm Batteries

Imagine this scenario:
You and your family are sound asleep when the smoke alarm sounds. Given such warning, your entire family is able to get out of the house safely.

Now imagine a different scenario: A family sleeps soundly, unaware that flames are racing through their house - which either lacks a smoke alarm or has an inoperable unit. This latter scenario can have tragic results - and it's not fiction.

Every year in the United States, approximately 4,000 people are killed in residential fires. In many of these situations, an operating smoke alarm could have made a difference.

With that in mind, the Falmouth Volunteer Fire Department is urging all citizens to replace their smoke alarm batteries and test their units on Sunday, March 9, 2008 when they adjust their clocks for the beginning of Daylight Savings Time.

Just think - it will only take moments to take an action that will allow your whole family to sleep more soundly. Here are some additional fire safety tips:

" Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas;
" Test all smoke alarms monthly;
" Keep smoke alarms clean by vacuuming over and around them regularly;
" As with any appliance, smoke alarms wear out. Replace the entire unit after 10 years or as recommended by the manufacturer;
" Make sure you know where your local fire department, police station and hospital are and post a list of emergency phone numbers near all the telephones in your home;
" Organize and practice a family fire drill;

Many mistakenly believe "it won't happen to me." But to thousands of Americans each year, a house fire DOES happen and brings fatal consequences. Don't be a statistic. Take a few minutes on Sunday to change your smoke alarm batteries and safeguard your family.

Help Falmouth Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department make deadly house fires a thing of the past.

For additional information on smoke alarms and fire safety contact the Falmouth Volunteer Fire Department at (540) 373-2610 Ext. 203.