Daylight Saving Time ends: Set your clocks back, change your smoke detector batteries

Daylight SavingTime comes to an end tonight as we switch to Eastern Standard Time at 2 a.m. Sunday. The change means more daylight in the early morning but sunset and nightfall earlier in the evening.

Don’t forget to set your clocks back before you go tuck yourself in tonight for that extra hour of shut-eye.

When you change your clocks, you should also change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, according to the U.S, Fire Administration.

Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.

Here are some smoke alarm tips from the U.S. Fire Administration:

• Install a dual sensor smoke alarm that will alert you to both a fire that has flames and a smoky fire that has fumes without flames.
• Place a smoke alarm on the ceiling of every level of your home and both inside and outside bedrooms. Children and older people can sleep though the loud sound of a smoke alarm. Make sure your escape plan includes someone that can help children and others wake up immediately to escape from the home.
• If you keep your bedroom doors closed, place a smoke alarm on the ceiling of each bedroom.
• Check smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button.
• Never take smoke alarm batteries out to put into other items like games or remote controls.
• Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do when they hear the alarm sound.
• If smoke from cooking makes the alarm sound, press the “hush” button, if your alarm has one. You can also turn on the kitchen fan, open a window or wave a towel near the alarm until it stops making the sound. Never take the battery out of the alarm.
• If your smoke detector is over 10 years old, replace it with a new one.