Remember to set clocks, watches and other timepieces back one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday or before going to bed tonight.
Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday.
N.C. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin reminds people to change the batteries in their smoke alarms.
“Your risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half when the home has working smoke alarms,” said Goodwin. “When you turn back your clocks, take the time to protect your family by making sure all smoke alarms in your home are working properly.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths in 2005-2009 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.  When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected or dead.
To protect your home, follow these smoke alarm safety tips:
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home, including in the basement. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so that when one alarm sounds, they all sound.
• Smoke alarms with nonreplaceable (long-life) batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.
• For smoke alarms with any other type of battery, replace batteries at least once a year. If that alarm chirps, replace only the battery.
• Test alarms at least once a month.
• To keep smoke alarms working well, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning. The instructions are included in the package or can be found online.
Replace smoke alarms when they are 10 years old, or sooner if they don’t respond properly.