Daylight saving time ends Nov. 1 at 2 a.m. Fire and police officials encourage residents to use the time change to test smoke alarms and replace batteries when needed.

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - Clocks will fall back one hour early Sunday, Nov. 1, and Las Cruces fire and police officials are encouraging residents to use the occasion to check their smoke alarms.

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, when clocks return to 1 a.m. Many residents will make the adjustment before going to bed Saturday night.

The Las Cruces fire and police departments recommend that homeowners and renters test their smoke alarms and replace batteries when needed.

To test a smoke alarm, press and hold its test button. A loud beep or ringing sound indicates the alarm is functioning during the test.

Officials caution against using candles, matches or other sources of smoke or heat to test alarms. Repeated exposure can cause detectors to malfunction when an actual fire occurs.

Not all smoke alarms have replaceable batteries. Some are hardwired into a building's electrical system, while others contain sealed lithium batteries designed to last for the life of the unit.

Most smoke alarms with sealed batteries have a lifespan of about 10 years.

Hardwired smoke alarms, particularly those in rental properties, should generally be maintained by property managers or licensed electricians.

Residents can use the seasonal clock change as a reminder to make sure their smoke alarms are working before the colder months arrive.