Check Smoke Alarms Before Springing Forward Saturday Night

It’s almost time to spring forward for the year. Daylight Saving Time officially begins Sunday at 2 a.m., so be sure to set your clocks forward by an hour before you go to bed tomorrow night.

Emergency officials also recommend changing smoke detector batteries this weekend to and testing the potentially life-saving devices to make sure they are in good working order. They should be installed on every level of the home, especially near sleeping areas. Place them at or above eye level, as smoke and many deadly gases rise.

Smoke detectors have a life span of between 8 and 10 years, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They recommend writing the purchase date on new devices with a permanent marker so you will know when to replace it.

Dirt and debris can impede a smoke alarm’s performance, so vacuum over and around them regularly.