Change smoke alarm batteries at end of Daylight Savings Time

Dear Editor:

This is a letter that can save lives in our community, Columbia County.

The simple yet powerful act of changing the batteries in smoke alarms when you change the clock back on Oct. 26 can double a familys chances of getting out of a home fire alive.

As a 31-year fire service veteran, I have witnessed first-hand the tragedy and devastation of home fires. It's even more heartbreaking when a young life is cut short. On average, nearly three children die each day in home fires. Overall, roughly 80 percent of home fire deaths in this country occur in homes without working smoke alarms.

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Considering that residential fire deaths peak in winter months, it makes sense to change your smoke alarm batteries each and every fall.

We hope you'll join the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Energizer - our "Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery" partner for 16 years - in sharing this lifesaving information with your readers.

Chief Paul D. Cooper

Martinez Fire Department