As Daylight Saving Time approaches this Sunday, March 8, it’s not just about adjusting the clocks. This twice-yearly ritual serves as the perfect reminder to swap out those old batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Fire safety experts stress that this small step is crucial in ensuring your home is as safe as possible.

Did you know that working smoke alarms can reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by half? Yet, a staggering three out of five fire deaths occur in homes without functional smoke alarms—either they’re missing or have dead batteries. This weekend, take the time to replace those batteries, test your alarms, and check their age. Remember, smoke alarms expire after ten years, and it’s crucial to ensure they’re in good working condition.

So while you’re springing forward with the clock this weekend, take a few minutes to make sure your family is safe, because nothing says ‘time to spring forward’ like knowing your home is protected. It’s a small effort that makes a big difference, and let’s be honest—nobody ever wants to be the person who forgot to reset their alarms!