Daylight saving time: Turn clocks ahead one hour

The weekend is going to be an hour shorter than usual, thanks to the beginning of daylight saving time at 2 a.m. Sunday.

Before going to bed tonight, remember to turn your clocks ahead one hour.

images.FEATUREFirefighters encourage people to use the time change as a reminder to check smoke alarms and replace the batteries if necessary. It is also a good time to reset timers on outdoor lights and lawn sprinkler systems.

Firefighters offered the following tips on handling and maintaining smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors:

•Install smoke detectors on all floors of your home or apartment.

•If the devices are hardwired into your electrical system, be sure to have a backup battery-operated smoke detector in case of a power outage.

•Mount alarms high on walls, at least four to 12 inches from the ceiling.

•Never paint over a smoke detector.

•Use a vacuum cleaner to remove lint or dust.

•Test the smoke detectors regularly. If the smoke detector “chirps” it is an indication of a low battery, which should be changed.