Before you go to bed on Saturday, be sure to move your clocks one hour ahead. Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 8.
The time change creates a 23-hour day and often disrupts sleep schedules, but fire safety officials say it also provides a helpful reminder to check home safety devices.
Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King said families should take a few minutes to test smoke alarms and ensure they are working properly.
‘Taking just a few minutes to check your smoke alarms can save your life,” King said. “These devices are often the first and only warning a family receives during a fire.”
Investigators frequently find smoke alarms that are disconnected, missing batteries or not functioning in homes where fatal fires occur. Fire officials recommend replacing batteries twice a year, testing alarms monthly and clearing dust or debris from sensors.
Some newer smoke alarms contain sealed 10-year batteries designed to last the life of the device, so residents should check the manufacturer’s instructions to determine what type they have. Fire officials also recommend taking time to create and review a home fire escape plan.
The twice-a-year clock change remains unpopular with many Americans, but efforts in Congress to adopt a permanent system have stalled.
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