A reminder to everyone that daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 9 and clocks should be moved one hour forward.
This year, daylight saving time will continue until November 1.
With the change in time, the Las Cruces Fire Department reminds residents to install fresh batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when they “spring ahead” one hour.
The fire department encourages the installation of new batteries, and manually testing all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, at least twice a year. The first and last day of daylight saving time serve as good reminders to do so.
To check the operation of a smoke detector, simply press and hold the alarm’s “test” button. If it beeps, or rings loudly, it’s working properly. Consumers should avoid testing a detector by using candles or matches placed under the alarm as repeated use of smoke to activate the device can cause them to fail when an actual fire occurs.
For information on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and other related safety measures, call the Las Cruces Fire Department at 575/528-4150, or visit the Fire Department’s website, at www.CLCFD.com.