Columbus, OH – Clocks across Ohio will jump ahead one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 8, marking the start of daylight saving time and prompting emergency officials to urge homeowners to complete several quick but important safety checks around the house.
According to fire safety officials and emergency management agencies across the state, the twice-yearly time change is widely used as a reminder for residents to test smoke alarms, replace batteries in carbon monoxide detectors, and inspect fire extinguishers. When clocks spring forward early Sunday morning, sunrise and sunset will both occur later compared to Saturday.
In central Ohio, Columbus fire officials stress that properly functioning smoke detectors provide critical early warnings during a home fire. Residents should test alarms in bedrooms, hallways, and basements while replacing batteries if alarms chirp or fail to sound.
Across northern Ohio, Cleveland emergency management officials also encourage households to check emergency preparedness supplies during the clock change. Residents should confirm flashlights work, replace aging batteries in weather radios, and make sure fire extinguishers are fully charged and easy to reach.
Safety experts recommend using the time shift as an opportunity to review family evacuation plans, ensuring all exits and stairways remain clear. With longer daylight hours beginning after the change, many homeowners begin spring maintenance projects, making Sunday a convenient checkpoint for safety inspections.
Daylight saving time will continue through the warmer months before ending Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, when clocks fall back one hour. Officials urge Ohio residents to take a few minutes Sunday morning to test alarms and refresh home safety equipment.
