TOPEKA — Daylight Savings Time begins November 5, and as communities prepare to “fall back” one hour, the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal (OSFM) urges residents to practice fire safety by testing their smoke alarms and changing the batteries. Alkaline batteries should be replaced at least once a year, and a good rule of thumb is to change the batteries when you change your clocks.

Kansas Fire Marshal Doug Jorgensen stresses the importance of replacing outdated smoke alarms with newer models featuring 10-year sealed lithium batteries. The manufacturer date can be found on the back of the smoke alarm.

“Ensuring you have working smoke alarms in your home is the single most important step you can take to increase your family’s safety from a home fire,” Jorgensen said. “Purchasing and installing smoke alarms with batteries that don’t need to be changed annually is one of the most affordable ways to protect your family.”

The OSFM, through its “Get Alarmed, Kansas,” program, is working with fire departments across the state to deliver and install free smoke alarms, which also include Carbon Monoxide detection. For more information on “Get Alarmed, Kansas,” visit, www.firemarshal.ks.gov.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.

To protect your home, follow these smoke alarm safety tips:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home, including in the basement.
• If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.
• For smoke alarms without the long-life lithium batteries, be sure to replace batteries at least once a year. If that alarm chirps, replace only the battery. Date each unit when they are installed and replace them after ten years – or sooner if they do not successfully pass the test by sounding the alarm when the test button is pressed.

In addition to changing smoke alarm batteries, it is a good idea to practice a family escape plan:

• Plan and practice two escape routes out of every room in your house.
• Designate an outside meeting place.
• In case of fire, call 9-1-1 once you are safely outside your home.
• Once outside, stay outside and don’t return for anything – not even a pet.

RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a report of racist graffiti.

Just before 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Riley County Police Department received a report of a vehicle  defaced with graffiti in the 2200 block of Claflin Road in Manhattan, just a few blocks south of the Kansas State University campus.

According to a media release, the crime occurred sometime between 1:30 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. Wednesday morning and contains racial slurs and a threat.

Officers immediately began investigating and are in the process of filing a criminal report.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to contact the Riley County Police Department at (785) 537-2112 or Crime Stoppers at (785) 539- 7777. Using the Crime Stoppers service allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00.

UPDATE:

The residents of a house that burned in southwest Geary County at 3299 West Lyons Creek Road on Tuesday have been identified.

No injuries were reported. Geary County Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges reported the residents were the Terrance and Crystal Seyboth family that also included her mother, and children ages 16, 14, 11 and 10.

The cause of the blaze is currently listed as undetermined. No one was home at the time of the fire.

The house was owned by Phillip Janke.

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Geary County Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges reported late Tuesday afternoon that the cause of the fire that burned a rural home about 10 miles southwest of Junction City is undetermined for now. No injuries were reported.

Berges stated the State Fire Marshall’s office and Assistant Geary County Rural Fire Chief Curt Janke conducted the initial investigation. Speaking Tuesday afternoon, Berges stated, “We still have a very hot fire scene since this just happened earlier today so it’s been undetermined. They might go back in a few days and try to do some more investigation on it.

A family of seven lived at the residence. The Red Cross was contacted to provide assistance.

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Geary County Rural Fire Units responded to a location about 10 miles southwest of Junction City at approximately 10:30 Tuesday morning.

There have been no injuries, but Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges confirmed the house where the fire occurred will be a total loss. It was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived on scene. The blaze was spotted by a passerby.

The names of the residents are not yet available.

The State Fire Marshall’s Office has been contacted and an investigator will be responding to the scene. The cause of the blaze is unknown at this time.

Junction City Fire Department EMS and Dickinson County Rural Fire District one personnel also responded to assist.

The Central National Bank main bank at 8th and Washington in downtown Junction City will host a Potato Bar Wednesday to benefit the Junction City / Geary County United Way.

This is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the basement of the bank. Enter through the northwest doors and proceed down the stairs.

The cost will be $5 for a potato with toppings. Those can include chili, nacho cheese, shredded cheese, sour cream, chives, ham. butter, bacon and broccoli. Drinks will be provided.

If you are in a hurry you can get your food to go. All proceeds will go to the local United Way.

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Tyme Out Lounge will team up with Junction City / Geary County United Way on Wednesday.

From noon to 1 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. a portion of the proceeds from food sales will benefit the local  United Way. You can also celebrate the anniversary of Tyme Out Lounge.

Fort Riley is beginning its annual Operation Santa Claus program with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday at 10 a.m. in Operation Santa headquarters, 2600 Trooper Drive, also known as Rally Point.

Operation Santa Claus is an annual program in its 33rd year. The Fort Riley community helps needy children and their families by providing gifts for local children during the holiday season. Operation Santa Claus assists families with financial difficulties during the holidays.

Operation Santa Claus will accept donations of new unwrapped toys in the $15 – $20 price range for children ages birth to 18 years starting Thursday. Donation boxes are located throughout businesses in Junction City and Manhattan.

You can learn more about the program at the Operation Santa Clause Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Opsantafortrileyks/

You can help raise money to support the development of a proposed Junction City High School Alumni Association.

According to JCHS Athletic Director Matt Westerhaus, this can involve test-driving a Ford vehicle. Dick Edwards Auto Plaza and Junction City High School are partnering to help raise up to $6,000 in support of JCHS and the development of the Alumni Association. This is part of Ford Motor Company’s Drive 4 UR School Program.  For every person who test-drives a new Ford vehicle at this one-day event, Ford Motor Company will donate $20, up to $6,000, to Junction City High School.

This will be held Thursday ( November 2 ) from 5-8:30 p.m. at the high school main campus at 900 North Eisenhower.

Participants must be 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license and insurance. There will be a limit of one test-drive per household. Each test drive will last approximately 7 to 10 minutes.