Sunday, Nov. 4 is the end of Daylight Savings Time and the Columbia Fire Department would like to remind residents to "Change your Clock, Change your Batteries."

Although smoke alarms are present in 96 percent of American homes, 19 percent do not work, mostly because of dead or missing batteries. This means roughly 25 million homes are at risk because of non-working smoke alarms and an additional 4.5 million homes are at risk by not having smoke detectors.

To save lives and prevent needless injuries, the Columbia Fire Department actively supports the "Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries" campaign sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The program urges all Americans to adopt a simple, lifesaving, habit: Changing smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries when changing clocks back to standard time each fall.

Working smoke alarms provide an early warning and critical extra seconds to escape. This is particularly important for those most at risk of dying in a home fire, such as children and seniors. In addition, the Columbia Fire Department recommends residents use the "extra" hour they save from the time change to test smoke alarms by pushing the test button, planning "two ways out" and practicing those escape routes with the entire family.

The Columbia Fire Department would also like to remind you that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced every eight-to-ten years. Like most electrical devices these alarms wear out. You may want to write the purchase date with a marker on the inside of your unit. That way, you'll know when to replace it. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for replacement.