Fire officials remind people to check smoke alarms

While you are changing your clock back an hour, also change your smoke alarm batteries.

The Columbia Fire Department said 80 percent of child fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms. They said the Change Your Clock Change Your Battery program can reduce that statistic.

The most recent study by the National Fire Protection Association found that 3 out of 5 home fire deaths resulted from homes without smoke alarms or properly working smoke alarms.

Smoke alarms can also be expired, according to the Jefferson City Fire Department. They said smoke alarms need to be replaced about every 10 years.

If you cannot afford a smoke alarm, contact the Columbia or Jefferson City Fire Department to see if you qualify for free smoke alarms.