On Saturday night, March 10, Californians will be turning their clocks forward in observance of Daylight Saving Time.

When they do, Cal Fire is reminding them to replace the batteries in all smoke alarms. Firefighters are also urging residents to replace the batteries in the carbon monoxide alarms as well.

This minimal effort could mean the difference between life and death.

Already this year several fatalities have occurred in California which might have been prevented with working smoke alarms.

“Cal Fire has long advocated the ‘Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery’ campaign,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of Cal Fire. “A smoke alarm is one of the cheapest and most effective ways homeowners can provide year round fire protection for themselves and their families.”

Every year lives are lost in homes without smoke detectors or those homes with a non-functioning smoke detector.

In a study conducted by the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), nearly 96 percent of households report having at least one fire alarm.  

Yet the US Fire Administration reports residential fires make up nearly 83 percent of all civilian fire deaths.  The culprit is generally a disconnected or dead battery.

Save a life. Change your clocks; change your smoke alarm batteries.

Fire officials also remind residents that smoke alarms should be replaced at least every ten years and when residents buy a new one, purchase an alarm with 10-year batteries

“Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms unquestionably help save lives, but they are nothing without working batteries inside of them,” said Chief Tonya Hoover, California’s state fire marshal. “Just a few minutes twice a year to change that battery can truly mean the difference between life and death."

For more information, visit the Cal Fire Web site at www.fire.ca.gov .