Residents across Pennsylvania lost an hour of sleep on Sunday morning. It was worth it. Spring is just around the corner.

Besides moving some clocks ahead one hour — many digital devices do it automatically, there is one more thing area residents need to take care of: changing the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors after changing their clocks.

Officials note that when they are functioning, smoke alarms can decrease the risk of dying in a home fire by as much as half.

“Smoke alarms are your family’s first line of defense against the dangers of fire,” said state Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook. “When your family’s safety is threatened by a fire, the early warning provided by a smoke alarm can be the difference between safely exiting your home, and not making it out. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of working smoke detectors, especially for the older adults in your life who may need a little extra time to get out.”

Expired or missing batteries are the most common cause of a smoke or CO alarm malfunction. From the moment an alarm sounds, occupants may have fewer than two minutes to safely exit the building.

Making an escape plan once your alarm sounds and practicing that plan is critical to ensure a quick exit. Be sure to identify two ways out of each room and identify a meeting place once outside to take account for all occupants. Cook encourages assisting younger children and older adults with developing and practicing these plans.

No matter what type of alarms are used in a home, all should be tested monthly — including ones hard-wired to a home’s electrical system. Smoke and CO alarms have a lifespan, and the entire unit should be replaced every 10 years with a new one.

We’re all forced to spring forward with time. Keeping your family safe with updates to fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are an individual’s choice. A simple one at that.