PIERRE, S.D. (Press Release) – South Dakota homeowners are reminded to take care of their clocks and smoke alarms this weekend.

Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 a.m. local time Sunday, Nov. 3.  That means pushing clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday night.

South Dakota Fire Marshal Paul Merriman also suggests when resetting clocks, people should also take time to switch batteries in their smoke alarms. Merriman says working smoke alarms should be a priority for every homeowner.

“The National Fire Protection Association reports nearly three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms (40%) or no working smoke alarms (17%),” Merriman says.  “We have seen cases in South Dakota where people have died in house fires where there were no working smoke alarms and we also have seen cases where people have escaped home fires because of a working smoke alarm. It is a fact that working smoke alarms save lives.”

Other safety tips involving smoke alarms include:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.

• Test alarms at least monthly by pressing the test button.

• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old. Do it sooner if the alarms don’t respond properly.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is part of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.