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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 <br />COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">March 13, 2022</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Clayton Farr, Jr.
<br />Assistant Fire Chief
<br />Columbia Fire Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7557
<br />Clayton.Farr@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">As we transition to Daylight saving time, the Columbia Fire Department would like to remind residents to "Change Your Clock, Change your Batteries."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although smoke alarms are present in 96 percent of American homes, 19 percent do not work, primarily because of dead or missing batteries. This means roughly 26 million homes are at risk because of non-working smoke alarms and an additional 4.5 million homes are at risk by not having smoke detectors. To save lives and prevent needless injuries and deaths, the Columbia Fire Department actively supports the "Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries" campaign sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The program urges all Americans to adopt a simple, lifesaving habit: changing smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries when turning back clocks in the fall and ahead in the spring. Working smoke alarms provide early warning of a fire. This critical early warning offers occupants additional seconds needed to escape a fire.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because working smoke alarms are such a critical element of home fire safety, the Columbia Fire Department supports all efforts to reinforce the importance of working batteries. However, smoke alarms available today are not all designed the same, making battery messaging more complicated.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Following is information to help make sure all smoke alarms have working batteries, accounting for multiple types of available smoke alarms and their varying battery requirements:</span></p>
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<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm begins to chirp, warning of a low battery, the entire smoke alarm should be replaced right away.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Smoke alarms with any other type of battery should have a new battery installed at least twice per year. If this type of alarm begins chirping, warning of a low battery, the battery should be replaced right away.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">When replacing a battery, follow the manufacturer’s list of compatible batteries (located on the back of the alarm) or the manufacturer’s instructions which are specific to the batteries (brand and model) which must be used with the particular alarm. The smoke alarm may not function properly if a different type of battery is used.</span></li>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Columbia Fire Department reminds our residents that smoke alarms save lives. Smoke alarms should be placed on every level of your home and outside of places where people sleep. Check your smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button. Change your smoke alarm batteries at least twice per year when adjusting your clocks for Daylight Saving Time. Replace any smoke alarm over ten (10) years old.</span></p></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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