FROM THE CITY OF CLEVELAND NEWSLETTER, ‘STRAIGHT FROM CITY HALL’
Today at 6:05 p.m. emergency sirens will sound for one minute in unison to urge residents to change their smoke alarm batteries when they adjust their clocks for daylight saving time this weekend.
“Working smoke alarms save lives,” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson. “As you change your clocks this Saturday, I encourage everyone to also change the batteries in your smoke alarms. It might just save the lives of your loved ones.”
The “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery” campaign is a national home fire safety program sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and endorsed locally by the Cleveland Division of Fire and the American Red Cross.
Working smoke alarms reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities related to residential fires by providing an early warning signal and allowing critical extra seconds to escape, according to the NFPA. Although smoke alarms are in a large percentage of Cleveland homes, nearly one-third do not work because of worn or missing batteries.
In addition to urging residents to change smoke alarm batteries, the Cleveland Division of Fire’s Public Education Office recommends that every resident take a few minutes to review fire-safety measures. This includes checking the smoke alarms, establishing an emergency escape route, (identify two ways out of each room), and designating a common meeting place once outside of the home.
Cleveland Fire Stations will have a limited supply of batteries available to residents on a first come, first served basis. Residents may call (216) 361-5535 to request a smoke alarms if they do not already have them on every floor of the house and every room where people sleep.
Residents visiting Fire Stations are required to wear a mask covering their mouth and nose (available upon request.) Temperature checks and social distancing guidelines will be followed.