Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John W. Oxendine wants to remind Georgians that they must change their clocks to daylight saving time earlier this year – and they should also change the batteries in their smoke alarms at the same time.

Oxendine said the annual change from standard time to daylight saving time, whenever it occurs, is a good time to make sure your smoke alarm is working as it should.

“Every year in Georgia there are fire fatalities in homes that didn’t have smoke alarms, or where the alarms didn’t function because of dead batteries,” Oxendine said. “If you have a smoke alarm, make sure it’s in working order. Changing the battery at least once every year and cleaning dust from the device are easy ways to ensure continued protection of your family and your property. Having a working smoke alarm doubles the chances you will survive a fire in your home.”

The change in daylight saving time is part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

This year for the first time, in Canada as well as the U.S., daylight saving time begins Sunday, March 11 at 2 a.m., when clocks are set ahead one hour.