COLUMBUS – Once again, most Americans will set their clocks forward by one hour this weekend as Daylight Saving Time begins.
The state fire marshal says it’s also a good weekend to test smoke alarms and replace the batteries.
Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon urges residents to take a three-step approach to fire safety. This includes replacing batteries in all smoke alarms in the home, testing alarms to ensure they’re working properly and making sure alarms haven’t exceeded the expiration date.
“As you set your clocks forward, I cannot stress enough the importance of also taking a few minutes to check your smoke alarms,” Reardon said. “These devices truly are a first line of defense in keeping you and your loved ones safe from a home fire; a simple test today can be a lifesaver tomorrow.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoke alarms that function correctly can reduce the risk of fatalities by nearly 50% in home fires.
There’s been plenty of debate over the practice but about 70 countries currently use what Americans call daylight saving time.
Americans “fall back” to Standard Time on Nov. 3.