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PARKERSBURG -- Heading into the weekend when folks are advised to "change your clocks, change your batteries," Parkersburg residents and firefighters got a reminder of just why that's important.
The Parkersburg Fire Department responded around 3:40 a.m. to a fire at 4214 Jefferson St. It started in an upstairs bedroom and all three occupants got out safely, Fire Chief Jason Matthews said.
"They were asleep at the time but alerted by the smoke alarms going off," he said.
The fire was accidental and electrical in nature, Matthews said. Firefighters arrived on scene at 3:45 a.m. and had the fire knocked down in about 10 minutes, he said.
There was fire damage to the room where the blaze started, as well as water damage and smoke damage throughout the house, Matthews said. The family will be assisted by the American Red Cross.
A juvenile who was in the house was taken to WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center to be checked for minor smoke inhalation, Matthews said. A couple of cats managed to escape safely.
The incident occurred less than 48 hours before clocks are to be set back one hour, overnight Saturday into Sunday, as daylight saving time ends.
"We've always followed the slogan, 'Change your clocks, change your batteries,'" Matthews said. "It's just something easily done that can save a life."
A working smoke alarm woke up the occupants of the Jefferson Street house. The most common cause of smoke alarm failures is a dead or missing battery, Matthews said. That's why putting in fresh batteries is recommended, and the twice-a-year time changes provide a regular reminder to do so.
Matthews noted that some smoke alarms come with batteries designed to last 10 years, the duration of the device, but even then, residents should test smoke alarms once a month to determine they're in working order. The alarm's date of manufacture should also be checked when the batteries are changed.
"If they're older than 10 years old, we recommend replacing them because the sensors can weaken over time," Matthews said.
The Ohio State Fire Marshal's office echoed that in a press release this week and also reminded people that smoke alarms should be installed on each level of a house and outside each sleeping area.
"We see the life-saving impact properly functioning smoke alarms can have when the worst happens," State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon said. "Working smoke alarms save lives, cutting your risk of dying in a house fire in half."
People are also encouraged to develop an escape plan that includes two ways out and a place to meet outside if the smoke alarm sounds, the release said. The primary and secondary plans should be practiced so everyone knows what to do if a real emergency occurs.
If people cannot change their batteries, Parkersburg firefighters will do it for them. Matthews said residents can call 304-424-8470, or 304-424-8450 after hours and on weekends, to ask about this assistance.
The department also provides and installs smoke alarms at no charge for income-qualifying households. More information on that program is available by calling the numbers above.
Evan Bevins can be reached at
ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.
At a glance:
Change your clock, change your batteries
∫ Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, and many fire officials encourage people to change the batteries in their smoke alarms when they change their clocks.
∫ People should also check the manufacture date on the back of the detector. If it was more than 10 years ago, the device should be replaced.
∫ Smoke alarms should be placed on every level of a house and outside each sleeping area.
∫ Residents should develop an escape plan with two exit routes and a place to meet outside.
Source: Ohio State Fire
Marshal