Daylight saving time will begin at 2 a.m. on Sun., March 9, when most U.S. states will spring forward an hour.

Local fire departments issued their annual reminders to check and replace smoke alarm batteries at the beginning of daylight saving time.

Daylight saving time is not mandated by the U.S. government. Though it is observed in Maryland, places like Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and most of Arizona have opted out.

Ben Franklin is said to have proposed the notion of daylight saving time after he observed that the sun frequently rose before he did and that citizens could be more productive done if daylight hours were shifted into the evening. The practice is still under debate, as proponents say it saves energy but critics say it is unnecessary and confusing.

Time will fall back to standard time again on Sun., Nov. 2, when DST ends.