The arrival of daylight-savings time has been initiated with a view to save energy, as people will be moving their clocks forward by an hour, so that the working hours will start an hour ahead of the usual time and much of the work will be done in the presence of day-light.

The Fire Safety Educator Lt. Cydnie Taylor, a 2008 survey revealed that 96 percent of U. S. households possessed at least one smoke alarm, yet in the fire-year period between 2003 and 2008, no smoke alarms were present or none operated in two out of five reported home fires.

Also, the Charleston Fire Department is encouraging people to adopt a time change as a reminder to also change the batteries in their smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.

"Smoke alarms save lives. Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms at all or no smoke alarms that work," Taylor posts.

"When there is a fire smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out,' she added.

In addition, the Charleston Fire Department extending the provision for smoke detector batteries to senior citizens and low income residents and has revealed to also replace the batteries if requested.

For assistance, one can contact the fire stations at 345-2132 or 345-2133.