State Fire Marshal Michael Bell is encouraging Ohioans to make a potentially lifesaving change when they move their clocks back on Sunday, November 2: Change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

“By taking a couple minutes to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and testing them monthly, you could save your life and the lives of your family,” State Fire Marshal Bell said. “Last year, nearly 85% of the victims who died in Ohio fires lived in residences where there was either no smoke detector or a non-functioning smoke detector.”

Smoke detectors, when properly installed and maintained, provide early warning when fire occurs. One smoke detector in a home doubles a person’s chance of escaping a fire. For the greatest protection, install a smoke detector on every level of your home and inside each sleeping area. Also, develop an escape plan that every member of the family is familiar with if the fire alarm does sound.

Test smoke detectors at least once each month to ensure that they are working properly. Vacuum the dust from inside the detector at least once every year. Batteries in battery-operated detectors should be changed twice a year or whenever a detector “chirps” to signal low battery power. Never “borrow” a smoke detector’s battery for another use. A disabled detector cannot save your life. In addition, smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years or according to the manufacturer’s specifications.