Sunday is the beginning of daylight-saving time and with clocks needing to Spring forward one hour.

Daylight saving time is a good reminder for folks to change the batteries on their smoke and carbon detectors to ensure you are alert in case of a fire breaking out within your home.

Batteries on the detectors should be changed at least twice a year.

While changing the batteries on your smoke detectors Chief Noel Hardin of the Asotin County Fire District #1 says to check the date on them.

If the date is 10 years past, the detector may need to be replaced entirely.

"After about 10 or 15 years or so, in what we have seen in some studies in the past, that those sensors in there can start going bad even though your detector may be operational, it's probably still a good plan to go ahead if they are more than 10 years to change those out," Chief Hardin said.

Carbon monoxide detectors should be changed out every seven years.

After changing the batteries, Division Chief for the Lewiston Fire Department Julian Sorrell says to test both detectors.

"We do recommend that you at least test your batteries by pushing the test button and ensuring that they work," Division Chief Sorrell said.

Another important note, look around your home to confirm that there are smoke detectors in every bedroom and hallway.

For those in Lewiston, if you cannot access your smoke or carbon monoxide alarms, the fire department can send crews over to replace the batteries for you.

Both Chiefs also say this time change is useful to check other fire hazards around your home...like old extension cords, plug-in devices, and your furnace.