DECATUR - It may not quite feel like spring outside, but early Sunday morning, clocks will be springing ahead an hour, thanks to daylight-saving time.

This will be the first spring time switch since the Energy Policy Act of 2005 changed the dates of daylight-saving time, which runs from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. Time moves ahead one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday.

Prior to the new time schedule going into effect last fall, daylight-saving time ran from the first Sunday in April until the last Sunday in October for many years.

Even though the time change is beginning a month earlier this year, fire officials still recommend using the event as a reminder to practice some home safety.

"I think the fire service in general recommends people inspect their safety devices," said Decatur Fire Inspector Mike Wigginton. "If there's a little dust in them, you might want to perform some maintenance, such as vacuuming the smoke detectors out and replacing the batteries in them."

But Wigginton noted that there are more possible dangers besides a faulty smoke alarm.

"We do recommend inspecting all of your fire safety equipment, not only your smoke detectors, but also your carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers," he said.

Wigginton said the threat of carbon monoxide exists year-round, but this time of year, it can be especially dangerous as malfunctioning gas or wood-burning fireplaces and furnaces may emit the poisonous gas and people are unlikely to open windows to increase the ventilation in their homes during cold weather.

That heating equipment, as well as portable heaters and electric blankets, can pose more fire safety risks, so people should remain cautious of the possibility of fire during the remaining weeks of winter.

"We just want people to use caution out there and take a walk through their house and check these devices and appliances," Wigginton said.

He said he realizes people are probably not yet in "spring cleaning mode," but another precaution he recommends is that people ensure their homes and garages are free of clutter that can also pose fire hazards.

Mary Tallon can be reached at mtallon@herald-review.com or 421-7984.