State Fire Marshal issues clock change reminder

     SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office is reminding residents to change their smoke detector batteries as they set their clocks back this weekend.

      “Daylight savings time” ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday. The practice started during World War I, so warring countries could utilize the most available sunlight and save on energy.  Clocks are adjusted forward in the spring and moved back in the fall.

      The fire marshal’s office says every household should change smoke alarm batteries twice a year and test the devices once a month.

      Fire Marshal Larry Matkaitis says a tragedy can happen at any time and it’s important to be prepared. There were 123 fire fatalities in Illinois in 2012. A study determined only half the homes damaged by structure fires had smoke alarms present.