The Gallup Fire Department would like to remind all to “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery.” This life-saving campaign encourages people to change their smoke alarm batteries when they “spring forward” their clocks this Sunday March 8th.

The Gallup Fire Department is encouraging all residents to adopt this habit of changing the batteries in their smoke alarms, “It’s a simple and inexpensive way to ensure your family is protected.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) smoke alarms are present in 96% of American homes, but 20% do not work due to worn or missing batteries. This means that nearly 19 million homes are at needless risk. Almost two-thirds (62%) of reported home fire deaths resulted from fire in homes with no smoke alarms or with non-working smoke alarms. A working smoke alarm can often provide critical extra seconds needed to get out safely.

If your current smoke alarm is over 10-years old, it’s time to replace it. Fire Marshal Jesus Morales recommends replacing old smoke alarms with a 10-year lithium dual purpose battery smoke and carbon monoxide alarm. Although it is simple and inexpensive to change out batteries, it may be more cost effective to replace with a new 10-year lithium powered battery alarm.

For more information, contact the Fire Prevention Office at 505-726-5448.