As the days grow shorter and the chill of autumn deepens, it can only mean one thing as we head into November. It's daylight saving time, so we are "falling behind" and picking up an extra hour of sleep overnight.

Just a reminder to reset those clocks before you go to bed tonight. The time will change at 2 a.m., then "fall back" to 1 a.m. 

It won't be until March 2025 that we adjust our clocks again to "spring ahead."

“Daylight saving time is a perfect reminder to check that your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are functioning properly,” said Acting Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon. “These alarms are crucial for home safety, and a few minutes spent testing them this weekend can make all the difference in keeping your loved ones safe.” 

• See also: Studying the health effects of daylight saving time

In addition to resetting your clocks, this is also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

According to the Firefighters Association of New York, if your detector has batteries sealed inside, it should be fine, but any device that is over 10 years old should be replaced.

“Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are such an important part of home safety,” said Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo. “As we ‘fall back’ this weekend, I am calling on residents to protect themselves and those they love by testing their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replacing those that aren’t functioning properly. This simple check could make a significant difference in the event of an emergency.”

Some other safety tips include testing your alarms at least once a month, make sure a smoke alarm is installed on every floor of your house and come up with an escape plan in the event of an emergency.