Spring Forward This Weekend

Daylight saving time begins this weekend.

That means it is time to move those clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday night since daylight saving time begins on Sunday at 2 a.m.

Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens said changing clocks is not the only thing people should do this weekend.

Hudgens said when changing the clocks ahead one hour, it is also a good time to change the battery in that smoke alarm to make sure it is functioning properly.

“You may say, ‘Well, the battery is still good.’,” said Hudgens. “It is very inexpensive and this is a way you can save a life. What generally happens is the battery starts chirping, you get irritated at it, you will take the battery out, you will forget to get another one and put it in there and then you are unprotected.”

In 2016, approximately 106 residential fires in Georgia resulted in 141 deaths. Of those fires, 96 of the homes did not have a working smoke alarm. This year, 22 Georgians have died in 18 residential fires, with only two of the homes having a working smoke alarm.

Hudgens said it is important to not just change the battery, but then test the alarm to make sure it works.

At the same time as changing the battery in the smoke alarm, Hudgens said Georgians should also take this weekend as an opportunity to practice the family fire drill to use in case of an emergency.

“Have a pre-determined location outside the house where all the family members will gather and you will count noses,” said Hudgins.

Once again, do not forget to change your clocks and move them ahead one hour before going to bed on Saturday night.