We lose an hour this weekend, as Sunday morning marks the annual beginning of Daylight Savings Time.

At 2 a.m. Sunday morning it becomes 3 a.m., so remember to set your clocks ahead one hour before heading to bed.

The Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office is also reminding residents that one easy step at the same time can help save their lives – changing the batteries in their smoke alarms.

“Smoke alarms most often fail because of missing, dead or disconnected batteries so maintenance is a simple, effective way to protect you and your family,” said State Fire Marshal Charles M. Duffy in a press release.

Warnings from smoke alarms can provide those critical extra seconds people need to get out of their homes safely. Plan, discuss and practice escape routes with your household members. Being prepared and knowing what to do, in the event of a fire, can save lives.

In 2013, approximately 20 percent of fire deaths in Washington State occurred in homes without working smoke alarms and the peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are sleeping. Ensuring smoke alarms are operational is critical to life safety. Smoke alarms are designed to detect the presence of smoke and alert occupants to danger.

For more information about fire safety, please visit the State Fire Marshal website at www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/firemars.htm.