Daylight Saving Time Ends: Remember to Set Your Clocks Back and Check Your Smoke Detectors

Daylight Saving Time officially ends this weekend, giving Californians an extra hour of sleep as clocks roll back one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday. The state will return to Pacific Standard Time, along with most other parts of the country.

Fire officials are using the clock change as a reminder to replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as in emergency flashlights. They also encourage residents to ensure that the devices haven’t passed their expiration dates and to clear away any dust from slots or sensors.

According to fire officials, smoke alarms typically last about 10 years and include a date stamped on the back. Homes should have a working alarm in each sleeping area, one outside every bedroom, and one on each level of the house.

Experts recommend mounting alarms high on walls, four inches to a foot away from the ceiling, or directly on ceilings at least four inches from the nearest wall. On pitched ceilings, alarms should be placed at least four inches from the highest point. Officials also caution against installing smoke detectors near windows, doors, or air ducts where drafts might affect their performance.

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