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SBCoFD Reminds You to Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries

Photo Courtesy of: Pixabay

It's about that time to "Spring Forward" one hour!

By Louis Penna, Community Writer
March 11, 2016 at 01:32pm. Views: 245

Sunday, March 13 is Daylight Saving Time. It’s time to “spring forward” one hour. You know what that means, change your clocks, and change your batteries! While phones, computers, and tablets may change themselves, it’s up to you to keep yourself and your family safe by changing your smoke alarm batteries. Working smoke alarms save lives, that tell-tale beeping can get everyone out safely and avoid tragedy. Three out of five home deaths resulted from fires with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. This is especially important if someone in your home smokes. Fires caused by smoking materials like cigarettes are the leading cause of fire-related deaths; accounting for 23% of all fatalities (Source: NFPA, U.S. Home Structure Fires). An alarm should be installed on every floor of your home, in every bedroom, and outside of all sleeping areas. Here are some tips to installing smoke alarms: • Best place to mount your smoke alarm is on the ceiling • Keep smoke alarms at least 4-6 inches away from the nearest wall • Always test your newly installed smoke alarm • If you cannot mount the alarm on the ceiling, install it high on the wall 4-12 inches from the ceiling • It’s simple: the more alarms you have, the greater your chances are of surviving a fire. Don’t skimp on smoke alarms around the home! However, just installing a smoke alarm is NOT enough. It needs to be tested monthly and the batteries changed every year. As well as working smoke alarms, every household should have an evacuation plan. Practice it! Make sure everyone knows how to get out and where to meet. Never go back inside a burning building! If someone is missing, inform the dispatcher when you call 911. Firefighters have the proper training to perform rescues. A working smoke alarm can decrease a family’s risk of dying in a fire by nearly 50 percent. Batteries from household smoke alarms may be recycled at your nearest household hazardous waste recycling facility. For a list of household hazardous waste locations and additional fire safety information, visit www.sbcfire.org.

SPARK Closing Ceremony Celebrates Growth, Opportunity and the Future of Public Service

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By William Cortez, Community Writer

August 12, 2026 at 07:53am. Views: 846

SPARK program participants celebrate their achievements during a closing ceremony recognizing their growth, new opportunities and interest in the future of public service.

Athlete Highlight: Brooke Hazen

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

July 29, 2026 at 11:30am. Views: 1185

Freshman Varsity cheerleader Brooke Hazen stands at midfield of Grand Terrace High School's football field, where she looks forward to helping energize the crowd and build school spirit throughout the Titans' football season.

Decades of Precision: Victor Covarrubias Brings Experience and Personal Care to 20/20 Vision

Photo Courtesy of: Margie Miller

By Margie Miller, Community Writer

August 19, 2026 at 08:12am. Views: 852

Victor Covarrubias, an experienced optical technician at 20/20 Vision Associates Optometry, began his career in the optical industry in 1998.