The time of year has arrived when the region gets an extra hour Sunday.

ReadyWisconsin has a suggestion for putting that added time to good use.

As daylight saving time comes to an end Sunday morning, ReadyWisconsin encourages people to fall back on safety and emergency preparedness as well.

“When clocks change twice a year, it’s the perfect time to check and refresh preparedness measures that keep us safe,” Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle said in a news release. “This seasonal shift allows us a moment to make sure we are ready for the unexpected, from house fires to power outages.”

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, when clocks will fall back an hour to standard time.

Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms could mean the difference between life and death, ReadyWisconsin warns. They help alert to danger, whether smoke from a fire or harmful invisible gas leaks from furnaces and other appliances.

Take time this weekend to:

— Test all alarms in the home.

— Replace batteries in these alarms at least once a year.

— Check the manufacture date on the alarms. Carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced around every five to seven years. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.

As heating systems kick into full gear, it is important to take precautions to prevent home fires, ReadyWisconsin advises. Have furnaces and chimneys professionally inspected. If using a space heater, make sure it is at least 3 feet away from anything that is flammable.

Those who have an emergency kit at home — which is highly recommended — this weekend also is a great time to check for expired products or items that may have been borrowed for other purposes and need to be replaced. Pay attention to the expiration dates on batteries, first aid supplies and food.