Sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Energizer brand batteries, the program urges you to adopt a simple lifesaving habit: Change all of your Smoke Alarm batteries when you change your clocks ahead to Daylight Time on Sunday April 2, 2006.

Hamilton Township Fire Rescue recommends that you take the time to Change, Check, Count and Clean.

Change Your Smoke Alarm Batteries
Hamilton Township Fire Rescue encourages you to change Smoke Alarm batteries at least once each year. Preferably twice, so an easy way to remember is to change your batteries when you turn your clock back to Standard Time each Fall. Replace old batteries with fresh, high quality batteries to keep your Smoke Alarms ready to protect you all year-long.

Check Your Smoke Alarms
After inserting fresh batteries in your Smoke Alarm, make sure the Alarm is working by pushing the safety test button. Hamilton Township Fire Rescue recommends that you test Smoke Alarms at least once a month. If you cannot reach your smoke detector, use a stick, broom handle or cane to press the button! You don’t need to climb up on furniture to check your smoke detector!

Count Your Smoke Alarms
Install at least one Smoke Alarm on every level of your home, including the basement and family room and, most importantly inside and adjacent to all bedrooms.

Clean Your Smoke Alarms
Help your Smoke Alarm remain sensitive and ready to protect you by using a vacuum once a month to remove dust and cobwebs.

This is also a great time to check the batteries in your flashlights and to make sure your home fire extinguishers are charged and easily accessible.