PUBLIC SAFETY Champion's firefighters are checking smoke alarms

The firefighters have installed nine smoke detectors.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CHAMPION -- Keeping residents safe is the top priority for the township's 25 firefighters who are going door-to-door making sure smoke alarms are working.
The department has joined forces with the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Energizer Battery Co., the Champion Rotary Club and Allen Dye State Farm Insurance Co. for the Change Your Clock and Change Your Battery campaign.
"We went out last weekend and are going back out Saturday," said Fire Chief Lewis Austin. "We are trying to target areas where elderly citizens live but we will help anyone."
He noted that the rotary club and Allen Dye State Farm Insurance donated the smoke alarms. The Energizer Battery Co. donated 9-volt batteries.
So far the firefighters have installed nine smoke detectors and changed batteries in 40, Austin said.
"We want to be proactive and help prevent a tragic situation," the chief said.
Once a year
Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year is one of the most effective ways to reduce deaths and injuries, Austin said.
"A working smoke alarm nearly cuts in half the risk of dying in a house fire," Austin noted. He added that International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends replacing your smoke alarms every 10 years.
"This program is designed to help remind people to change smoke alarm batteries when they change their clocks back to standard time each fall," Austin said.
sinkovich@vindy.com