Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, Nov. 4 at 2 a.m. when we turn the clocks back one hour. The American Red Cross reminds everyone it’s also a good time to test the batteries in their smoke alarms as they turn their clocks back.

“When you turn your clocks back, remember to also test your smoke alarms,” said Gary Strong, Gold Country Region CEO. “Take a few minutes to replace your smoke alarm batteries, push the test button to make sure alarms are working, and create a fire escape plan with your family.”

Here are a few steps that everyone can take to make sure their household is prepared for emergencies:

Get a kit: Keep disaster supplies in an easy-to-carry bag to use at home or carry in case ordered to evacuate.

Make a plan: Have all household members plan what steps they should take if an emergency occurs.

Be informed: Learn what emergencies can occur in the area and how officials notify residents should a disaster occur.

Your help is needed to reduce death and injury from home fires by 25 percent by 2020.

The Red Cross Gold Country Region serves a 24 county territory including Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba counties. For more information, visit redcross.org/GoldCountry. Stay up to date by following them on Twitter and Facebook (@ARCGoldCountry) or by visiting their blog at https://capitalcrosswords.com.