ST. LOUIS, MO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- March 6, 2007 -- Americans this year will see more daylight
and have an earlier opportunity to save lives on March 11. Daylight Saving
Time begins on the second Sunday in March this year, moved up from the
first Sunday in April where it has been since 1986. The move up also gives
everyone a chance to get a head start on the Change Your Clock Change Your
Battery® program by using the day to assure they have a working smoke
alarm. In doing so, they can cut their risk of dying in a home fire in
half, say the campaign sponsors, the International Association of Fire
Chiefs (IAFC), Energizer® Max® brand Batteries and more than 5,800 fire
departments nationwide.
A simple habit can save a life
Each year approximately 1,000 children under the age of 20 die in house
fires -- an average of nearly three children each day. The beginning of
Daylight Saving Time, when most people in the country change their clocks,
is a great time to also change smoke alarm batteries.
Although 96 percent of American homes have smoke alarms, 23 percent do not
have at least one smoke alarm that works, mostly due to worn or missing
batteries. That means as many as 26 million homes are at risk for home
fire fatalities due to non-working smoke alarms.
"Fire fatalities most often occur when families are sleeping. Many people
believe they will awaken from the smell of smoke. Unfortunately by the
time people actually smell the smoke, it is often too late," says Chief Jim
Harmes, president of the IAFC. "A working smoke alarm can provide critical
extra seconds many people need to safely get out of a fire. We have been
saying it for 20 years now, but that simple act of changing smoke alarm
batteries is truly a lifesaver."
20 years of saving lives
Twenty years ago, the IAFC and Energizer® recognized a disturbing trend
-- despite widespread use of smoke alarms, the number of home fire deaths
and injuries continued to increase. Research showed non-working smoke
alarms were often responsible. The Change Your Clock Change Your
Battery® program was created out of this concern in 1987. The Home
Depot® is joining Energizer to help spread this life saving message. To
make the life saving habit easier for consumers, The Home Depot will have
special displays for smoke detectors and batteries. With their help and
through the activities of more than 5,800 fire departments nationwide, the
Change Your Clock Change Your Battery message reaches millions of children,
senior citizens, and families in communities nationwide.
"Though the date of Daylight Saving Time may have changed, one thing
remains the same -- working smoke alarms can help save lives," says Jeff
Ziminski, vice president of marketing at Energizer. "For the last two
decades, in tandem with the IAFC and local fire departments nationwide, we
have worked really hard to help reduce home fire casualties through public
education about the importance of home smoke alarms and proper smoke alarm
maintenance."
Five common reasons home smoke alarms do not function properly
-- Battery has not been replaced in a timely fashion.
-- Battery has been removed for use in another device such as a toy.
-- Battery has been removed due to "chirping sound," which actually
indicates the battery needs to be replaced!
-- Smoke alarm has not been cleaned regularly.
-- Smoke alarm is aged and possibly contains outdated parts or
technology.
Each of these reasons is easily remedied by either simply replacing the
smoke alarm battery and/or the actual smoke alarm.
About the International Association of Fire Chiefs
The IAFC is a non-profit association representing nearly 13,000 chief fire
officers and emergency services leaders worldwide. Its members are the
world's leading experts in fire fighting, emergency medical services,
terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, search &
rescue, and public safety legislation. The organization champions fire
safety and prevention through efforts such as Change Your Clock Change Your
Battery®.
About Energizer
Energizer Holdings, Inc. (
NYSE:
ENR),
www.energizer.com, headquartered in
St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the world's largest manufacturers of primary
batteries, battery-powered devices and flashlights. Energizer, a global
leader in the dynamic business of providing portable power geared toward
the new digital age, offers a full portfolio of products including, the
Energizer® MAX® premium alkaline brand; Energizer® e2® Lithium®
and Energizer® e2® Titanium Technology® performance brands; Nickel
Metal Hydride (NiMH) Rechargeable batteries and chargers; and miniatures
brand batteries.
The Energizer product line also includes specialty batteries for hearing
aids and medical devices, as well as for keyless remote entry systems, toys
and other uses. Through its flashlight unit, Energizer brings innovation
to this important household device. Energizer continues its role as a
technology leader as it launches Energizer® Energi To Go®, portable
battery-driven power packs for cell phones.
About Home Depot
The Home Depot® is the world's largest home improvement specialty
retailer, with 2,159 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, 10 Canadian provinces, Mexico
and China. Through its HD Supply(SM) businesses, The Home Depot is also
one of the largest diversified wholesale distributors in the United States,
with nearly 1,000 locations in the United States and Canada offering
products and services for building, improving and maintaining homes,
businesses and municipal infrastructures. In fiscal 2005, The Home Depot
had sales of $81.5 billion and earnings of $5.8 billion. The Company
employs approximately 355,000 associates and has been recognized by FORTUNE
magazine as the No. 1 Most Admired Specialty Retailer and the No. 13 Most
Admired Corporation in America for 2006. The Home Depot's stock is traded
on the New York Stock Exchange and is included in the Dow Jones industrial
average and Standard & Poor's 500 index.
Sources: National Fire Protection Association, International Association
of Fire Chiefs, Sense of Smell Institute
Contact Information: For more information, contact:
Samantha Leavitt
314-995-3939 x101
Jeff Bachman
314-995-3939 x102