Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday

Daylight saving time ends Sunday, and the Las Cruces Fire Department is encouraging residents to install new batteries in their smoke alarms when setting clocks to ‘fall back’ one hour.

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, and the fire department urges residents to install fresh batteries in their smoke alarms when clocks are adjusted to standard time. Most people tend to adjust their clocks before bedtime Saturday evening.

Las Cruces residents in need of a free 9-volt battery for a smoke detector can obtain one from the Las Cruces Fire Department. Free batteries are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fire Station 1, at 201 E. Picacho Ave. Because of public health restrictions, the front door to Fire Station 1 is locked. Anyone stopping by for free batteries is encouraged to wear a face covering, social distance and knock on the front door at Fire Station 1 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Free batteries are only available until 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30.

LCFD also encourages homeowners test smoke alarms to ensure they are in proper working order. To check the operation of a smoke alarm, simply press and hold the alarm’s “test” button. If it beeps, or rings loudly, it is working properly.

Consumers should not test an alarm by using a candle or matches placed under the detector. Repeated use of smoke to activate the device can cause them to fail when an actual fire occurs.

For more information on smoke alarms, call the Las Cruces Fire Department at 575-528-3473.