Safety Officials: Check Smoke Alarms As You Turn Back Clocks
PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) — It's time to fall back — and check or change some batteries.
Residents of Philadelphia and most people in the United States get an extra hour of sleep this weekend, thanks to the annual shift back to standard time.
The change officially occurs at 2 a.m. Sunday. Most people usually set clocks back before heading to bed Saturday night. The shift moves one hour of daylight to the morning from the evening.
Public safety officials say it's also a good time to put a new battery in the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. They say newer smoke alarms with sealed-in, 10-year batteries should still be tested and inspected regularly.
Official say working smoke alarms are proven life-savers, and homes and apartments should have at least one working smoke detector, preferably near sleeping areas. Multi-level homes should have at least one smoke detector on each floor.
Many fire stations and groups provide free smoke detectors to low-income families, seniors and others who need the alarms.
Daylight saving time returns at 2 a.m. March 13.
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