State fire officials ask residents make it a top priority this weekend to ensure their homes are equipped with working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as they set clocks back one hour and “fall back” to daylight saving time.

Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, when people will turn clocks back one hour.

“To drastically reduce the risk of you or your loved ones dying in a home fire, make it a tradition to change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, or install new detectors, if necessary,” said State Fire Marshal Julie Secontine.

“According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 71 percent of smoke alarm failures are a result of missing, disconnected, or dead batteries,” Secontine  said. “Never remove or disconnect batteries from detectors unless they have expired. Check your smoke alarms monthly to ensure that they are in working order. If you hear a chirping noise it is likely a warning of a low battery.”

Three out of every five home fire deaths in the U.S. result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

Last year, home fires in Michigan killed more than 104 citizens, and, according to the National Fire Incident Reporting System, fire departments throughout the state responded to nearly 13,583 home fires in 2015.

The State Fire Marshal along with the NFPA recommend people do the following:

• Test smoke alarms monthly using the test button.

• Replace batteries once a year or when they begin to chirp, signaling they are running low.

• Equip homes with multiple smoke alarms in all the bedrooms, outside of each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home, including the basement.

• Hardwired smoke alarms are more reliable than those powered solely by batteries.

• For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms so when one sounds they all sound.

• Buy newer models of smoke alarms with lithium batteries that will last the life of the unit.

• Replace all smoke alarms at least every 10 years, or sooner if they do not respond properly when tested.

• Choose alarms that bear the label of a recognized testing laboratory.

For a list of nationally recognized testing laboratories go to: https://www.osha.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/nrtllist.html

Carbon monoxide alarms are also critically important safety equipment in the home. Carbon monoxide is called the invisible killer. People cannot see or smell carbon monoxide.

This poisonous gas can come from a variety of sources and can quickly incapacitate and kill its victims.

Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas. Carbon monoxide alarms need fresh batteries at least once every year, unless they are powered by sealed, 10-year batteries.

Carbon monoxide alarms should be tested once a month to make sure they are working properly.

Secontine emphasized the importance of having a home fire escape plan and practicing the plan with all family members and people living in the residence at least twice a year. Fire is unpredictable and moves very fast.

In less than three minutes, a home could be totally engulfed in flames, so every family member should know how to react quickly and calmly.

For information on smoke alarms and safety tips, people can visit the NFPA website at www.nfpa.org/smokealarms.

Visit the Bureau of Fire Services website at www.michigan.gov/bfs for more fire safety information.