Contact:
Karl Newman, President
Darrin Sanger, Communications Director
NW Insurance Council    
Phone: (206) 624-3330
Fax: (206) 624-1975
karl.newman@nwinsurance.org
darrin.sanger@nwinsurance.org

Daylight Savings: a reminder to check your smoke detectors, protect your family

SEATTLE - A fire can erupt in your home unexpectedly. Faulty wiring, cooking accidents or a malfunctioning appliance can ignite a blaze that causes thousands of dollars in damage and puts you or your family at risk of severe injury or death.

According to the State Fire Marshal's Office, fifty-five people died in Washington last year as a result of fires. In 2003, there were 388,500 reported home fires in the United States, resulting in 3,145 deaths, 13,650 injuries and $5.9 billion in direct property damage.

A fire in your home could be devastating. That's why it's important to ensure that your first line of defense is working properly by inspecting your home's smoke detectors regularly.

Sunday is daylight savings time. When you move your clocks forward one hour, be sure to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and depress the test button to make sure they are functioning properly.

"If you live in an average-sized home, you can change the batteries in all of your smoke detectors in less than 20 minutes," said Karl Newman, NW Insurance Council president. "It may seem like a hassle, but it's a small price to pay to keep your home and family safe."

Standard homeowners insurance covers fire damage to your home and its contents such as furniture and personal belongings up to the limits of the policy.

As you change the batteries in your smoke detectors this weekend, the NW Insurance Council encourages you to review the following safety tips to help you protect your home and family from fire:

• Test your smoke detectors once a month.
• Make sure you have a smoke detector on every level of your home.
• Inspect the condition of appliances, power cords and outlets regularly.
• Develop and practice a family escape plan.
• Maintain a fire extinguisher in close proximity of cooking areas.
• Keep flammable materials such as newspapers, empty boxes and fuel away from heaters and cooking appliances.

For more information, call the NW Insurance Council and ask for a free brochure titled Protect Your Home From Fire, at (800) 664-4942 or visit http://www.NW Insurance Councilonline.org/brocat.htm for our online brochure catalog.

The NW Insurance Council is a nonprofit, consumer-education organization funded by member insurance companies.

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