(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Do not forget, this weekend is the end of Daylight Saving Time (at 2 a.m. Sunday, to be precise). While we’ll gain back an hour of sleep, we should all also gain a little peace of mind knowing our homes are safer from the risks of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning after having tested our detectors and changed the batteries.

“We see the life-saving impact properly functioning smoke alarms can have when the worst happens,” said Ohio Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “Working smoke alarms save lives, cutting your risk of dying in a house fire in half.”

Reardon’s office reminds homeowners to put in a fresh set of batteries and check the expiration date on detectors. “Any alarms with a manufacture date of 2012 or earlier should be replaced,” the fire marshal’s office said.

It’s also a good time to think about placement of such devices. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of a home and inside and outside of each sleeping area. Carbon monoxide detectors can be installed at any level or on the ceiling, but should not be near smoke detectors. That way, a person can easily tell which alarm is going off.

Families should also have escape plans in place, and make sure every family member knows what should be done if an alarm sounds. The twice-yearly opportunity presented by the changing of clocks to maintain these important safety features should not go to waste.

We know both devices save lives, but they do no good if we neglect them to the point of uselessness, should an emergency arise.