FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): With daylight saving time beginning at 2:00 a.m., Sunday, March 8th, officials with the Fort Wayne Fire Department are urging you to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors when you set your clocks forward one hour.

According to the Fort Wayne Fire Department, more than 70 percent of fatal fires throughout the U.S could be prevented if working smoke detectors were in place.

“Daylight saving time is a date and time twice a year that we all remember. As we go through our homes and change the clocks we should also make this the time to replace the batteries in our smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The chance of surviving a fire significantly increases when you have a working smoke alarm,” said Assistant Chief Jim Murua, Fire Marshal of the Fort Wayne Fire Department.

Murua also suggests in addition to replacing the batteries you should also prepare and practice a family fire escape plan.