A Simple Act on November 6 Can Buy Life-Saving Minutes Later

ST. LOUIS — Three minutes. That’s how much time families have on average to get out of their homes after an alarm from a smoke detector.* However, those life-saving minutes only occur when detectors are fully powered and operational.

Fortunately, three minutes is also a good average for the time it takes to change batteries in smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and other connected devices in a home.  There’s no better time to do it than when you’re already changing your clocks at the end of daylight saving time on Sunday, November 6, 2016.

Energizer® and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) are partnering once again, for the 29th year, to share this life-saving message through the Change Your Clock Change Your Batteries™ program.  Energizer and the IAFC work to raise awareness of the importance of checking the power and functionality of smoke detectors, smoke alarms and other key safety devices throughout homes.

The smoke detector remains among the most important battery-powered home devices. A recent study showed that 71 percent of smoke alarms that failed to operate had missing, disconnected or dead batteries. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire nearly in half.*

“Checking and changing batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, along with other home safety devices, will only take you a few minutes and could save lives,” said Fire Chief John D. Sinclair, IAFC President and Chairman of the Board. “Many fire departments across the country offer smoke alarm programs and can provide assistance. There is absolutely no reason why every home should not be protected by working smoke alarms and other devices in your home crucial to the safety of your family.”

Thanks to advances in technology, home safety and security has evolved in recent years. Many families rely on other home devices connected to the Internet or their smartphones, also known as the Internet of Things, to enhance safety and security. The Energizer brand provides smart energy for smart devices with a variety of battery sizes across its product portfolio that power these connected home devices. These everyday devices include smart thermostats, home security systems, door lock management equipment flashlights, portable chargers and other critical battery-operated devices.

The number of smart devices that keep us safe, secure, and comfortable at home is growing, and such devices are only as good as the batteries that power them.
This year, Energizer is donating more than 125,000 batteries to fire departments nationwide. Over the past 29 years, Energizer has donated more than five million batteries to local fire departments so they can help make sure more families have working smoke alarms and other home safety devices.

“Smart connected home technologies are keeping families safer, when operational,” said Michelle Atkinson, chief consumer officer, Energizer. “These tools, along with flashlights and other home safety devices require reliable battery power as well. Our partnership with the IAFC and the Change Your Clock Change Your Batteries program is our way of contributing to education and prevention.”

For more information on the program and to download home safety tips and materials, please visit www.Energizer.com/homesafety. IAFC member resources available here.