Time to turn back the clocks and check the alarms

Daylight savings time ends on Sunday, November 5 at 2 a.m.

This means everyone "falls back" an hour and picks up an extra 60 minutes of sleep.

As the time changes local fire departments are urging residents to check their smoke detectors.

It's recommended that people change the batteries in their alarms twice a year. The time changes can serve as a good reminder.

But this time of year is extremely important, especially as cold creeps in.

"We haven't had to use that fire place in a long time," said Public Education Officer for the Davenport Fire Prevention Bureau, Lt. Zach Soliz. "We haven't had to use that fire place in a long time. So, it's not just having a smoke alarm in place. It's thinking about the proximity and having that three foot clearance in front of our heaters, in front of our fire places to make sure we don't have those accidents that happen because it's been awhile since it's gotten this cold."

There are two main types of smoke alarms, ionization and photoelectric alarms. Ionization detectors sense a fast moving flame, while photoelectric detects more of a smoldering fire. This means photoelectric alarms sense more smoke.

The Davenport Fire Department told TV-6 it doesn't matter which kind, or brand, you get, as long as you have one.

This is why the department is holding a fire safety event on Nov. 4. It's going to be held at Hayman's Hardware (1716 W. 4th Street) from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Lt. Soliz will be on site answering questions, giving demonstrations and talking abut the importance of checking smoke alarms. There will also be a sign-up sheet for people in need of smoke detectors.