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Change clocks, smoke detector batteries

The Columbian
Published: March 12, 2011, 12:00am

Smoke alarms save lives, but they need a little tending, and there’s no time like the present, officials say.

A good memory jogger is to change them when a time change happens, as is the case this weekend, Washington Fire Marshal Chuck Duffy said in a bulletin.

All types need testing and some periodically need a new battery.

When working properly, smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire almost in half. Statewide in 2009, about 81 percent of fire deaths occurred in homes without working alarms, the bulletin said.

Most home fire deaths typically happen between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., when many people are asleep.

To be safe, homes might need several smoke alarms, including one on each level.

Families also need to plan and practice two escape routes in case of a fire.

To learn more, visit http://wsp.wa.gov/fire.

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