Checking Batteries

Checking Batteries

I used to set my morning alarm for 5:30. Lately, I’ve been a little more tired, so I pushed it back to 6 o’clock.

But one thing that hasn’t changed is the sound of my alarm. I wake up every morning listening to Newsradio WJPF.

A few Mondays ago, as I was waking and preparing for the day, I heard the trusted voice of Tom Miller telling a story that I know he didn’t want to share.

He told of a young firefighter in Chicago who lost his wife and three children to a house fire. He was on duty at the fire station when the fire broke out, so he was one of the firefighters who arrived on the scene.

My heart broke for that young man.

I was still thinking about this tragedy when I heard Tom mention something about smoke alarms. What did he say? Did this firefighter not have smoke alarms in his house? How could that be? Did the batteries die? These were the thoughts running through my mind.

So, after he was off the air, I called WJPF and asked to speak to Tom Miller.

I’ve always admired Tom’s ability to talk to everybody and anybody about any and every subject. He’s always well informed. And he’s an expert interviewer, too.

Tom answered the phone and we talked about talked about that firefighters’ story for a good length of time.

I asked Tom about something he said about a new law about smoke detectors. He told me that, as of January 1^st of this year, any new smoke alarms that are purchased and installed must come with a sealed 10-year battery. And if you have gas appliances such as a gas stove or gas water heater... or if you have an attached garage... you must also have a carbon monoxide detector, too.

I thanked Tom for his time and offered to take him to lunch. He laughed and told me that his lunchtime was 9 o’clock in the morning! So I offered to take him to breakfast. He politely declined because he had too much work to do in preparation for the next day’s radio show.

But he told me that my name was number 15 on his list. And I believed him. And one of these days, when he’s checked off the first 14 responsibilities, I’m looking forward to that breakfast date.

Speaking of dates... a few weeks ago, we sprung forward on March 12^th. Did you remember to check the batteries in your smoke detector?

And another date to remember is November 5^th. That’s the day we fall back. So you’ll want to change the batteries then, too.

Better yet, maybe you could go ahead and buy one of those 10-year smoke alarms.

Heaven knows I don’t want to hear Tom talkin’ about you on WJPF.

Be well. Stay well. Thanks for readin’...

Francis Pass

P.S. – Did you know Tom Miller has working in radio since 1976? He’s also won the “Seven Seals Award” by Illinois National guard for his work on behalf of the Illinois National Guard. I can’t wait to ask him about that over breakfast.