The Wichita Fire Department wants to remind all residents that when you change your time clock this weekend, that you also make another change that could save your life… changing the batteries in your residential smoke detectors.

An average of three children a day die in home fires, and 80% of those occur in home without working smoke detectors. Non-working smoke detectors rob residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide said Chief Bob Thompson. Also the most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke detectors are worn or missing batteries.

Changing smoke detector batteries twice a year is one of the simplest, most effective way to reduce tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, working smoke detectors nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a house fire.

In addition to changing your battery, Chief Thompson recommends families take additional time and practice their fire escape plan.

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