Spring forward: Change clocks, smoke alarm batteries

Hoosiers will be turning forward the clock this weekend for the beginning of Daylight Saving Time. And the state fire marshal is asking Hoosiers to take a moment to practice fire safety and change batteries in their smoke alarms at the same time.

Most smoke alarm batteries should be changed twice a year.

"The annual change from Standard Time to Daylight Saving Time is a good reminder to make sure your smoke alarms are working and have new batteries," Indiana State Fire Marshal James Greeson said. "Since the beginning of the year, Indiana has suffered 20 fire fatalities, most in homes without functioning smoke detectors. Working smoke detectors save lives and give people the crucial extra seconds they need to have a fighting chance of evacuating from a house fire."

Greeson urges all Indiana residents to have at least one working smoke detector in the home.

Ideally, smoke alarms should be located outside of each sleeping area. There should also be at least one on every floor.

Greeson notes that smoke alarms are relatively inexpensive and many fire stations and organizations offer free smoke alarms, especially to low-income families, seniors, at-risk families or families with members who, for various reasons, may need extra time to get out of a home.

Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 13 at 2 a.m. when clocks should "spring forward" one hour.