Public Information Office
210 S. McDonald St. Suite 636
McKinney, TX  75069

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 26, 2004

Collin County residents reminded to change smoke detector batteries this weekend

(McKinney, TX) – As Collin County residents turn their clocks back an hour this weekend, they also need to remember to change the batteries in their smoke detectors.

“Everyone should be reminded to test their smoke detectors at least one time per month and to change the batteries in their smoke detectors twice a year,” says Collin County Fire Marshal Steve Deffibaugh. “An easy way to remember this is to change the battery when you change your clock."

At 2 a.m. on Sunday, Collin County will go back to Central Standard Time, and residents should turn clocks back one hour.

“October and November is also the time we think about the change in the weather and cooler temperatures. People are reminded to have the furnace serviced by a qualified individual and if they have a fireplace to have the chimney swept by a certified chimney sweep and to remember those wood burning stoves,” says Deffibaugh.

“Every year about this time you will hear about fires that resulted in the deaths of families and especially children or the elderly and many times the report will read that no working smoke detectors were found,” says Deffibaugh. “Smoke detectors are probably the cheapest life insurance a family can have.”

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