FALL BACK: CHANGE TO DAYLIGHT TIME IS ON SUNDAY

Evenings will darken an hour earlier Sunday as the nation returns to standard time, ending seven months of daylight-saving time.

The official switch at 2 a.m. Sunday will allow most people to sleep an extra hour that morning, or maybe stay out an hour later on Saturday.

Of course, some people will have to work an extra hour: shift workers, convenience store clerks, railroad workers, and most emergency services.

The best time to make the switch is before going to bed Saturday night. Remember to fall back one hour when resetting the clocks.

In many cities on Saturday, the day before the time change, fire departments will literally "sound the emergency alarm" at noon to remind people to change the batteries in their smoke detectors when they reset their clocks. The event is sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and a battery manufacturer.

Acting Cape Girardeau Fire Chief Max Jauch, Jackson Fire Chief Gary Niswonger and Scott City Fire Chief Les Crump urged residents in their communities to take a minute to check their smoke detector batteries and change them.

They pointed out a working smoke detector reduces by half the risk of dying in a home fire by providing an early warning and critical seconds to escape. Although smoke detectors are now in 82 percent of American homes, fire officials say one-third of them are not working because of dead batteries or no batteries.

In addition to changing smoke detector batteries, the fire chiefs also reminded residents of other recommended home fire-safety measures including: ensuring the smoke detector itself works by pushing the test button and vacuuming the detector to remove dust and cobwebs that can impair the sensitivity of the smoke detector.

They also recommended that a flashlight with fresh batteries be placed near beds so family members can see in the dark or signal for help in a fire. Finally, the fire chiefs urged all families to plan two escape routes from their home in the event of fire and practice them often.

The Missouri Highway Patrol and the American Optometric Association reminded motorists the weekend time change means drivers will now be traveling in more hours of darkness and should keep that in mind when planning long trips.

Most of the country will go back on daylight-saving time April 1.