This weekend Daylight Saving Time ends and everyone is reminded to turn their clocks back one hour.

Not only should people remember to turn their clocks back during the early morning hours this Sunday, Jefferson Fire Chief Jack Williams also recommends changing the batteries in smoke detectors. He says it’s a good habit to get into, having to change a household’s smoke detector batteries twice per year when Daylight Saving Time begins and ends, so that you know for sure your smoke detectors are functioning properly. He points out that newer homes should also check their carbon monoxide detectors as well.

“Especially in the winter, some of the newer ones have the PVC pipe that comes out of the roof. When it’s really humid or there’s a rain storm, they can plug with ice, or restrict with ice, or frost, which causes the carbon monoxide to back up into the house. And those detectors are set to go off at a particular level of carbon monoxide in the house, which tells you, you need to get out.”

Williams advises to make sure that both kinds of detectors are clear of dust, because that can also set them off. Williams says the volunteer fire department also offers free smoke detectors to any Jefferson resident whose home doesn’t have a smoke detector. The fire department will also install it for free. Williams notes that their smoke detectors are in limited supply and they have applied for grants to replenish those numbers. Monetary donations are also accepted. Checks can be made to the Jefferson Fire Association, with the money earmarked for smoke alarms. Checks can then be dropped off to City Hall.