The spring time-change is upon us, and the Wareham Fire Department wants to remind residents to make another change that could save their lives -- changing batteries in their smoke alarms. At 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 14, 2010, turn your clocks ahead one hour.

Although 92% of American homes have smoke alarms, nearly one-third don't work. Non-working smoke alarms rob residents of the protective benefits that home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms: worn or missing batteries.

Changing smoke alarm batteries when you change your clocks is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, working smoke alarms nearly cut in half, the risk of dying in a home fire.

"Working smoke alarms provide an early warning and critical extra seconds to escape," said Chief Robert McDuffy. "This is particularly important for those most at risk of dying in a home fire, such as children and seniors." In addition, Chief McDuffy recommends residents to test smoke alarms by pushing the test button, planning "two ways out", and practicing those escape routes with the entire family.

For more information about fire safety, feel free to contact Chief Robert McDuffy at the Wareham Fire Department, (508) 295-2973.