ATLANTA — Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens is urging Georgians to change the batteries in their smoke alarms at the same time they change their clocks back to standard time this Sunday.

In conjunction with the “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery” fire safety program sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the American Burn Association, Commissioner Hudgens says the annual change from daylight saving time to standard time is a good reminder to make sure your smoke alarm is working as it should.

“Last year in Georgia there were 72 fatal house fires and 67 of them didn’t have a working smoke alarms,” Hudgens said.  “If you have a smoke alarm, make sure it’s in working order.  Changing the battery at least once every year and cleaning dust from the device are easy ways to ensure continued protection of your family and your property.  Having a working smoke alarm doubles the chances you will survive a fire in your home.”

Daylight saving time ends Nov. 4 at 2 a.m., when clocks are set back one hour.

For more information on fire safety, visit the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s Web site at www.oci.ga.gov.