By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Having a working smoke detector in your home reduces the likelihood of dying in a house fire by half.

That’s a statistic the new Hays Fire Department Deputy Chief Ryan Hagans wants the public to know and think about during National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 5 to 11.

“The best fire prevention tip is to make sure you have a working smoke detector in your home,” Hagans stressed. “It’s best to have one on every floor of the house and also outside each bedroom door or actually in each bedroom.

“Smoke detectors should be replaced at least every 10 years — every seven years is better. And be sure to change the batteries regularly. An easy way to remember is to do it in conjunction with Daylight Saving Time changes in the spring and fall — change your clock, change your batteries.”

This year Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, Nov. 2.

Thanks to a grant from the office of the state fire marshal, the Hays Fire Department has some smoke detectors free of charge for low-income residents or those on a fixed income.

“Just give us a call, and we’ll even come to your home and install it,” said Hagans.

More information is available at the Hays Fire Department at (785) 628-7330.