Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John W. Oxendine is urging Georgians to change the batteries in their smoke alarms at the same time they change their clocks back to standard time Nov. 1.

In conjunction with the "Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery" fire safety program sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the American Burn Association, Oxendine says the annual change from daylight saving time to standard time is a good reminder to make sure your smoke alarm is working as it should.

"Last year in Georgia there were 23 fire fatalities in homes that didn’t have smoke alarms, or where the alarms didn’t function," 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.”

Oxendine also recommended changing batteries in carbon monoxide detectors, flashlights and weather radios, and having an emergency plan in place in case severe weather threatens.

Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 a.m., when clocks are set back one hour.

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