PARKERSBURG - It's finally time to reclaim that hour of sleep you lost last spring.
Most of the country will turn back the clocks this weekend for the annual shift back to standard time.
The majority of folks will do the switch before hitting the sack Saturday night, even though the change doesn't become official until 2 a.m. Sunday local time.
Residents of Hawaii, most of Arizona and some U.S. territories don't have to change because they do not observe daylight-saving time.
Public safety officials say this is a good time to put a new battery in the smoke alarm.
Officials with the Parkersburg Fire Department are reminding residents to change the batteries in their smoke detectors as they change their clocks this weekend.
The department tries to promote the checking of smoke detectors twice a year and daylight-saving time is a great reminder, said Pvt. Jody Casto, a fire inspector with the Parkersburg Fire Department.
"Smoke detectors are the best money you can spend to save your life," Casto said. "They (smoke detectors) give you a chance to get out before the smoke can get to you."
Casto said the department offers free smoke detectors to those who meet the financial criteria. The program is geared for lower-income families, he said.
"We come out to the house and install the correct number of detectors that your house needs," he said of the installation process.
Owners of apartments are required by law to provide detectors for their residence, said Casto.
