As the time change approaches on Sunday, March 13, the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office wants to remind residents to make another change that could save their lives – changing the batteries in their smoke alarms.

“Take time to change the batteries in your smoke alarms, testing your smoke alarms, planning two ways out and practicing escape routes with the entire family.  Being prepared and knowing what to do if fire happens to occur can save your life and the lives of your loved ones,”  State Fire Marshal Charles M. Duffy said.

Smoke alarms most often fail because of missing, dead or disconnected batteries so maintenance is a simple, effective way to protect your family and reduce home fire deaths.  In fact, working smoke alarms nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire.  Warnings from smoke alarms can provide those critical extra seconds people need to get out of their homes safely.

In 2010 in Washington State, approximately 62 percent of fire deaths occurred in homes without working smoke alarms and the peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are sleeping.  Ensuring smoke alarms are operational is critical to life safety.  Smoke alarms are designed to detect the presence of smoke and alert occupants to danger.

For more information about fire safety, please visit the State Fire Marshal website at www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/firemars.htm.