Shapiro Administration Urges Pennsylvanians to Change Smoke Alarm Batteries When Clocks “Spring Forward” this Weekend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2026
Contact: Andy DeBrunner,
Shapiro Administration Urges Pennsylvanians to Change Smoke Alarm Batteries When Clocks “Spring Forward” this Weekend
Harrisburg, PA – The Shapiro Administration is reminding Pennsylvanians to change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms when moving their clocks ahead one hour for this weekend’s “spring forward” time change. Functioning and properly placed smoke alarms can decrease the risk of dying in a home fire by as much as half. Dead or missing batteries are the most common cause of a smoke or CO alarm malfunction.
Pennsylvania often leads the nation in fire deaths. Sadly, 2026 is off to a similar start with 26 fire fatalities reported to the United States Fire Administration through March 2, 2026.
“Pennsylvania is once again leading the nation in fire-related deaths, and that underscores just how critical it is for every family to maintain working smoke alarms in their homes,” said State Fire Commissioner Tom Cook. “With only a few minutes to escape a home fire, a properly functioning smoke alarm can mean the difference between life and death. Please test your smoke alarms regularly, replace batteries when needed, and make fire safety a priority for your loved ones.”
During a home fire, you may have fewer than two minutes to safely exit, so Commissioner Cook recommends the following steps:
Ensure early notification by installing and maintaining working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be installed:
on every floor of the home, inside every sleeping area, and in hallways outside sleeping areas.
Develop and practice an escape plan once your alarm sounds to include:
having two ways out of each room, a designated meeting place once outside, and taking a headcount to ensure everyone got out safely.
Once safely out of the home, contact 9-1-1 for help.
It’s important to assist younger children and older adults with developing and practicing plans.
Carbon monoxide alarms also save lives. CO is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that can impact you before you are aware of exposure. Sources of CO gas can include wood-burning fireplaces and stoves, gas fireplaces, appliances, grills, generators, and motor vehicles. Maintaining wood and gas-burning appliances is critical to reduce the risk of malfunctions that can lead to carbon monoxide exposure. Having a working CO detector in your home can alert you before you recognize symptoms often confused with other illnesses such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, disorientation, and fatigue.
If you need a smoke alarm, visit the Ready PA website to request a free smoke alarm from the American Red Cross. All smoke and CO alarms should be tested monthly, including alarms wired to a home’s electrical system. Smoke and CO alarms have a life span, and the entire unit should be replaced every ten years with a new one. Most newer alarms come with a non-replaceable sealed battery designed to last ten years. If your home includes family members with sensory or physical needs, install smoke alarms with lights, vibrations, or alternate sounds including voices to provide them with early warning.
Homeowners unsure of how to maintain or install smoke and CO alarms can call their local fire department for advice. Renters should consult local ordinances to understand any legal requirements for landlords in their area to provide smoke and CO alarms. To learn more about making your home a safer home, including smoke and CO alarms, fire extinguishers, and home sprinkler systems, visit the Ready PA Safer Home website.
The Shapiro Administration has the backs of our firefighters and first responders, to ensure they are ready to serve our communities. After signing Act 121 of 2024 into law, first responders now have access to critical mental health care for post-traumatic stress injuries sustained on the job.
In his 2026-27 budget proposal, Governor Shapiro is seeking a new, competitive grant program to add an additional $30 million in in funding to our fire department to make our communities safer yet. Our firefighters are there for us when we need it the most, now more than ever, it is time to show up for them.
You can make a difference in your community right now. Learn how to volunteer with your local fire department.
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County-Wide Reassessment Ratio Change
COUNTY-WIDE REASSESSMENT RATIO CHANGE
January 6, 2026
MILFORD, PA ― In 2026, Pike County will change the predetermined assessment ratio from 25% to 100% of the 1994 base value. This change will go into effect for 2027. The 25% ratio was set by the Board of Assessment Appeals in 1996 and has not been changed since. With a county-wide reassessment planned, it has been determined that values set at 100% will make more sense to all taxpayers.
This 2026 ratio change will not necessarily impact the taxes you pay in 2027. The law (referenced below) states that in the year of a reassessment or ratio change, all property tax authorities must roll their millage rates back to a point of breakeven, in other words, revenue neutral.
Example of a current property assessment:
Base year 1996 value of 80,000 with a Predetermined ratio of 25%
Current assessment: 20,000
Current county tax rate at face 27.99 or the decimal equivalent of 0.02799
Formula: 80,000 x 25% or 0.25 = 20,000
20,000 x 0.02799 = $559.80
New base year 2026 value of 80,000 with a Predetermined ratio of 100%
New assessment: 80,000
Revised county tax rate at face 6.9975 or the decimal equivalent of 0.0069975
Formula: 80,000 x 100% or 1.00 = 80,000
80,000 x 0.0069975 = $559.80
So, when the new reassessed values of 2028 arrive indicating the current market value of the property, owners can easily determine the value change based on 100% of the before a 1996 value versus the new 2028 value.
NPS Announces Implementation of Winter Service Levels, Plowing Priorities
NPS Announces Implementation of Winter Service Levels, Plowing Priorities
12/9/25
BUSHKILL, Pa. — Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area will implement typical winter service levels. During annual low staff seasons, the park takes this action to ensure visitor safety.
Park staff give priority to plowing main roads through the park for the safety and convenience of local residents and visitors. Park staff will then plow secondary roads and parking areas to buildings open for public use. Some roads may receive no winter maintenance or will close until clear of snow and ice naturally. A few will be gated and closed to all vehicle traffic through the winter.
Closures will go into effect January 2, 2026 or upon the first significant snowfall. Most sites will reopen on April 15, 2026, while the rest will open in May.
"Visitor safety remains our top concern when maintaining over 150 miles of paved and dirt roads," said Acting Superintendent Eamon Leighty. “With our limited winter staffing capacity, we prioritize roads and areas with the highest visitor use, ensuring those traveling within the park can do so safely.
Park staff will make every effort to keep priority routes open and safe for travel during and after winter weather events. During a storm, drivers should expect roadways to be snow-covered. When in doubt, do not drive.
Priority routes may need to close temporarily if inclement weather exceeds our ability to clear it, or if equipment fails or breaks down. In this case, roads will be cleared and reopened as soon as possible.
The reduced winter services effects are as follows:
Pennsylvania Roads:
- US Route 209 is the top priority road for winter maintenance in the Pennsylvania side of the park.
- River Road from Hialeah Recreation Site to Park Headquarters will receive NO WINTER MAINTENANCE. This road will be closed before inclement weather events begin and will reopen when conditions permit.
- Zion Church Road will be plowed, if needed, after River Road has reopened.
New Jersey Roads:
Top priority routes that will remain OPEN during winter months:
- Route 602 from Millbrook Village to the NPS Boundary
- NPS Route 615 except sections that are closed due to an active landslide and road washout[DC1]
- Pompey Ridge Road to Route 615
- Old Mine Road between Flatbrookville and Pompey Ridge Road
- Old Mine Road between Milbrook Village and Flatbrookville
Old Mine Road will be CLOSED in these sections:
- Between Worthington State Forest boundary and Millbrook Village
- The dirt section of Old Mine Road that passes the Van Campen Inn
- Old Mine Road between Mettler Road and the intersection with Route 206 will receive NO WINTER MAINTENANCE. This section of road will not be plowed or treated for ice. Travel in this section is at your own risk. Cell phone service is not reliable.
Other NJ Roads:
- Blue Mountain Lakes Road will close to vehicles at the bottom of the hill prior to a storm and will reopen when conditions allow. Visitors may walk, ski or snowshoe on the road during closure.
- The NPS section of Mountain Road will close to vehicles. Visitors may walk, ski or snowshoe the road during closure.
- The historic bridge over the Flatbrook in Walpack Center remains closed due to substantial structural damage.
- Jager Road, from Old Mine Road to the NPS boundary, will receive NO WINTER MAINTENANCE.
Visitor Use Sites:
Park staff will normally clear walkways and parking lots within 72 hours of the end of a storm.
River Access:
Open river access will close temporarily during a storm. These areas will be cleared AFTER priority routes become safe for travel. River ice may limit access depending on conditions
- River access will be available at:
o Dingmans Access
o Milford Beach
o Bushkill Access
- Eshback access will receive no winter maintenance
Trail Access:
All trails currently open remain open during the winter. Trailhead parking will depend on weather conditions and may be limited. Road closures affect access to some trails. Trailhead parking areas that remain open will only be cleared AFTER priority routes have been cleared for safe travel. Trails are not maintained or groomed and may be ice/snow covered.
- McDade Recreational trail parking areas will be plowed after all other roads and facilities are completed EXCEPT Jerry Lees and Venturo, which will receive NO WINTER MAINTENANCE.
- Dingmans Falls Visitor Center, access roads, parking area and trail remain closed to all traffic and access for ongoing bridge replacement and trail repair projects.
- The upper parking lot for Raymondskill Falls will close from January 2, or when the first significant snowfall arrives, through April 15. The lower parking lot will remain open as conditions permit.
- The parking lot for George W. Childs Park will close from January 2 or the first significant snowfall, until April 15.
- The Cliff Park trailhead parking area will receive NO WINTER MAINTENANCE. It will be open as conditions allow.
Restrooms:
Restrooms are available at:
- Kittatinny Point Picnic Area and Millbrook Village in New Jersey.
- Milford Beach, Dingmans Access, Bushkill Meeting Center, Bushkill Access, Hidden Lake and Toms Creek in Pennsylvania.
For additional information visit our website at www.nps.gov/dewa, follow us on social media at www.Facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS and www.Instagram.com/DelWaterGapNPS, email the park, or call the information desk during open business hours at (570) 426-2452.
Impact that Matters: Transforming Veterans’ Lives
2025 Service Dogs Help Give Veterans a New Leash on Life
Making a Difference in the Lives of Veterans - Veteran's Moving Forward
Every dog we train is more than a companion -- they are a lifeline. Veterans Moving Forward is dedicated to raising and training service, therapy, and emotional support dogs for Veterans with physical and/or mental health challenges for free. Since 2010, VMF has delivered steadfast support and renewed freedom to those who served our Nation. This is our mission. This is our promise to those who took the oath to serve our country.
VMF provides a customized approach. Our Veterans are just as the diverse as the dogs we train, and our primary goal is to work closely with the Veteran, their family, and medical team to train their service, therapy, or emotional support dog to align exactly to the Veteran's needs.
Each one of our dogs supports Veterans and their caregivers creating opportunities for increased independence, assistance, and companionship.
YOU can help make that healing possible. It costs between $40,000 - $50,000 to raise each dog. Every gift—large or small—helps train the next dog that will change a Veteran’s life.
Help Fight Hunger in Pike County: Support the Community Harvest Fund
Help Fight Hunger in Pike County: Support the Community Harvest Fund
11/7/25
Cuts to federal food-assistance programs, Pennsylvania’s budget impasse, the federal government shutdown, inflation, and increased grocery prices have combined to create a perfect storm hitting our local food pantries, leaving our most vulnerable neighbors—including the 6,700+ people in Pike County who rely on SNAP to feed their families—at risk of going hungry.
Please consider a donation to Greater Pike’s Community Harvest Fund, a dedicated emergency fund created to rapidly funnel donations to the front lines of this crisis.
100% of your tax-deductible donation will go directly to Pike County food pantries, helping them keep shelves stocked.
Please join us in this urgent effort. A gift of any level will make a difference, and your support will help us move quickly to meet this moment and ensure no family goes hungry.
Community Harvest Fund