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Clocks spring forward early Sunday
daylight savings begins
Set you clocks forward one hour Saturday night before going to bed. - photo by Stock photo

Daylight Savings Time starts early Sunday and Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens is urging everyone to change the batteries in their smoke alarms at the same time they set their clocks ahead one hour.

Many people set their clocks ahead before going to bed Saturday night.

"The annual change to daylight saving time is the perfect opportunity to make sure your smoke alarms are working properly," Hudgens said.

In 2016, about 106 residential fires in Georgia resulted in 141 deaths. Of those fires, 96 of the homes did not have working smoke alarms. This year, 22 Georgians have died in 18 residential fires, with only two of the homes having working smoke alarms.

Hudgens is also encouraging all residents to test and clean dust from the smoke alarms monthly, as well as plan and practice an escape route to the outside from homes in the event of a fire.

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