Set your clocks back 1 hour this Sunday, then do the following | Local Las Vegas

For many, the best thing about the time change this weekend is the opportunity to get an extra hour of sleep.

It’s officially time to “retreat” at 2 a.m. Sunday.

But after you set your clocks back an hour, Clark County officials hope you’ll take part of your weekend to prepare yourself and your home for potential dangers as winter approaches and diminishing daylight becomes a factor in the afternoons and evenings .

At the top of the county list:

— Make sure your smoke alarm and its batteries are in working order.

— Also check carbon monoxide alarms.

— Use headlights while driving due to the deterioration of daylight after the time change.

“We encourage people to change the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in the fall and spring each year,” said Clark County Fire Chief John Steinbeck. “It’s a life-saving habit that can protect you and your family in the event of a fire or carbon monoxide problem in your home.”

A serious problem is reduced visibility while driving.

“We ask motorists and pedestrians to be especially careful as daylight hours become much shorter,” Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft, a traffic safety advocate, said in a county news release. “Unfortunately, most pedestrian deaths occur between dusk and dawn, when it is more difficult for motorists to see pedestrians. It is imperative that drivers slow down, pay close attention and turn on their headlights.”

Fire Alarm Tips:

— Smoke detectors older than 10 years require replacement.

— Test the smoke alarm at least once a month using the test button; Replace immediately if they do not respond properly when tested.

— Make sure everyone in the house understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond to it.

— Beeps are a warning sign that the battery is low and needs to be replaced.

— Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, near every sleeping area, and on all levels of the house.

— Smoke rises, so install the smoke alarm, following the manufacturer’s instructions, high on the wall or ceiling.

— For people with hearing impairments, smoke detectors with strobe lights and vibration devices are provided.

Carbon monoxide alarm tips:

– Install in a central location outside each sleeping area of ​​the home.

– Follow manufacturer’s instructions for placement and height.

— Select a carbon monoxide alarm that is certified by a recognized testing laboratory.

— Check carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month and replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

— If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, immediately move outside into fresh air or to an open window or door. Make sure everyone in the house is accounted for. Call for help from an outdoor location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive.

Contact Marvin Clemons at [email protected].