EAST SPENCER — Many people rely on cellphones or a friend to remind them to reset their clocks during daylight savings time. But some likely forget to change the batteries in their smoke detectors. The residents at Grant Street Apartments got a reminder in a big way.

Piedmont Natural Gas, in partnership with the Hanford Dole chapter of the American Red Cross, brought batteries and, in some cases, smoke detectors to the residents of the apartment complex, formerly Weant Street Apartments.

Members of the East Spencer fire and police departments, along with Mayor Barbara Mallett, were also on hand to talk with residents and distribute batteries during the Change Your Clock — Change Your Battery campaign.   

“We began last year in Mecklenburg and decided we wanted to grow. We hope next year to be even bigger,” said Phillip Morgan, a community relations manager with Piedmont Natural Gas.

“This is an opportunity for us to bring together some of the most important things to us, which is the safety of our communities,” said Shelia Crunkleton, executive director of the Hanford Dole Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Crunkleton oversees operations in Rowan, Cabarrus, Stanly, Anson, Union and Montgomery counties. 

This is a great reminder for everyone to not only make sure they change their clocks but also their batteries, she said.

Daylight savings time will end at 2 a.m. on Sunday when clocks will fall back to standard time.

In addition to Rowan County, Piedmont Natural Gas will hold similar campaigns in Catawba and Mecklenburg counties this month as well. He said the goal was to hold the events in smaller communities.

Amy Clement said she thought it was nice of all of those involved to provide batteries and smoke detectors for the residents. She said the maintenance department changes the batteries for residents.

Nakosha Davis has a five-year-old son and the thought of having more smoke detectors put her at ease. She said most of the apartments have one smoke detector in the bottom hallway and the upstairs hallway. Now she’ll have one in every bedroom.

“It will be good. We need more,” she said.

Members of the East Spencer Fire Department will return to the apartments where residents indicated they’d like an extra smoke detector, however one resident received his early.

Roger Lee Jackson was supposed to have a new smoke detector, but he said maintenance had not gotten to replacing it so he was given a battery-operated unit that was mounted above his bedroom door and an extra battery.

“Now remember to change your battery in the spring,” Monica Bruns with the Red Cross reminded Jackson.

Jane Lewis said she just changed her batteries prior to a recent apartment inspection. Lewis said she moved back to the area in November after 14 years in Arizona where there is no daylight savings time.

“Their presence is encouraging people to be more responsible,” she said.

Members from the fire department, police department, Red Cross, Piedmont Natural Gas and Mayor Barbara Mallett walked door-to-door of each apartment and left batteries for each resident. The residents who did not have smoke detectors were placed on a list to receive smoke detectors later.

It takes a collaboration from different agencies and groups, Mallett said, to produce such an undertaking.

“It gives us a chance to get out in the community to see the residents and see what’s going on,” Mallett said.

“We already do a certain level of fire prevention education. This will assist us in getting that message out there,” said East Spencer Fire Lt. Joshua Smith.

He said this is the time of year when they really want to make sure residents are taking safety precautions because soon the weather will be colder and people will be trying to stay warm. Some residents will be starting fires in the fireplace and using alternative sources of heating.

Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.