As Sunday approaches, the Decatur County Fire and Rescue urges residents to use the extra hour to change their batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in addition to winding back their clocks.

Approximately every three hours, a home fire death occurs somewhere in the nation and 80 percent of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms, according to the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). "Changing the batteries in alarms and detectors once a year is one of the most simple and effective ways to ensure effectiveness", said Fire Chief Charlie McCann. McCann continues, "any resident of the county who does not have a working smoke alarm should contact Decatur County Fire and Rescue at 229-248-3011.

The IAFC is in its 20th year of its 'Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries' campaign.  The program urges all Americans to adopt the simple lifesaving habit. Residents are also encouraged to practice the same battery check on March 14, 2010, when the spring time daylight savings takes place.