'Turn & Test' Reminder: When Turning Back Clocks, Test Your Smoke Alarms

BAY AREA, CA – It's time again to turn back clocks an hour Sunday morning as daylight saving time ends, which is also a good time to check home smoke detectors, American Red Cross officials said.

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday and residents should turn back the clock to 1 a.m., which means sunrise and sunset will be an hour earlier.

Red Cross officials say to "turn and test" -- which is short for turning back the clock and testing smoke detectors.

"Turn and test is a reminder to set your clocks back and take a few minutes to push the test button to make sure all smoke alarms are working," Red Cross regional CEO Trevor Riggen said in a statement.

"Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half."

Smoke detectors should be located on every level of a home, Red Cross officials said.

And great safety reminders from the Mountain View Police Department:

• When daylight savings comes to an end, that means nighttime comes a little sooner. Please remember to drive carefully as drivers may have decreased visibility.
• In your home, check or replace any batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Make sure they are working before you decide to use fireplaces, portable heaters or furnaces for the first time!
• To help combat the cold, make a winter emergency kit for your car, which can include a blanket, flashlight, batteries, water, jumper cables and gloves.
• Finally, check to make sure your fire extinguisher is still in good working order. If the needle on the gauge of extinguisher is green, chances are the extinguisher is still good. If it’s in the red, you might have to replace your extinguisher!

AND FOR YOUR WEEKEND: This Weekend In NorCal: 'Star Trek' Meet & Greet; SnowBomb Fest & Sale; Beachy Keen Sea Glass; Holiday Boutiques

--Bay City News contributed to this post/Shutterstock image