The Las Cruces police and fire departments are reminding residents to check their smoke alarms and replace batteries as daylight saving time ends this weekend. Clocks will move back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 2.
Officials recommend that residents use the occasion of adjusting clocks to also install fresh batteries in smoke alarms. Many people typically reset their clocks before going to bed on Saturday night.
Testing smoke alarms is also advised. To do so, residents should press and hold the alarm’s “test” button. A loud beep or ring indicates proper function.
Authorities caution against using heat or smoke, such as from candles or matches, to test alarms. They note that repeated exposure can damage the devices and potentially cause them to malfunction during an actual fire emergency.
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