change your clocks and your batteries

pbrbrDaylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday. ppThat means its almost time to move clocks forward one full hour to spring forward – and change the batteries in the smoke alarms too.brbrEvery day an average of nearly five people die in home fires. And 80 percent of fire deaths involving children occur in homes without a working smoke alarm.brbrAn early warning can provide critical extra seconds to escape.brbrSmoke alarms double a familys chance of getting out of a home fire alive – but only if they work. So dont just replace the batteries. If smoke alarms are 10 years old or older or if they were in the house when you moved in replace them.brbrAlso take the time to review the family fire escape plan and include these reminders always have two ways out of every room have a family meeting place and once you are outside never go back in.brbrMany fire departments offer assistance to residents to obtain smoke alarms or help with changing batteries on high ceilings. Contact your local fire department for assistance in your area.nbspp