Clocks Fall Back Sunday, Daylight Saving Time Ends

Daylight Saving Time for 2023 ends Sunday, November 5, at 2 a.m., at which point clocks “fall back” an hour to standard time.

This annual time change will last until the second Sunday of March 2024, when Daylight Saving Time kicks in again.

For Pasadenans, it’s not only a welcome time to sleep in an extra hour in the morning, but it’s also a good time to heed a reminder issued by the Pasadena Fire Dept. to refresh the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms and your emergency flashlights for safety’s sake.

After inserting fresh, high-quality batteries, residents are advised to activate the safety test button to ensure the alarm is working properly.

Regular maintenance of smoke alarms is recommended, including cleaning the devices with a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from slots and sensors. If a smoke alarm has been accidentally painted over or contaminated, it may need to be replaced.

The department advises that smoke alarms should be placed in all sleeping areas, one outside of each bedroom and on each level of a home. Alarms should be mounted high on walls, four inches to a foot away from the ceiling, or on ceilings, at least four inches from the nearest wall. On pitched ceilings, they should be installed at least four inches from the highest point. Smoke detectors should not be placed near windows, doors, or ducts where drafts could interfere with their operation.

In addition to checking safety devices, this time is also ideal for updating family disaster kits. Residents should ensure that food, water, medications, prescription glasses, pet supplies, and first aid kits are current. Those who do not have a disaster kit are encouraged to consider creating one.