PSA time

Yesterday's fire tragedy in New York City underscored an otherwise immemorable press-release from Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian which hit my inbox Wednesday :

CHANGE YOUR CLOCK – CHANGE YOUR BATTERIES

After you switch your clocks forward an hour on Sunday, March 11, follow Pasadena Fire Department’s advice and check all your smoke alarm batteries, too. You might save a life.

There have been deaths reported across the country because people took their smoke alarm batteries out to use in a toy or TV remote – or to stop the “chirp” signaling a low battery – then neglected to replace them.