It’s time to turn the clocks ahead this weekend when daylight saving time kicks in at 2:00 a.m. Sunday. The American Red Cross uses this time to remind everyone to bone up on preparing you and your loved ones for emergencies.
                         
CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARM BATTERIES
When you turn the clocks ahead, take a few minutes to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and push the test button to make sure the alarms are working. It’s also a great time to check your carbon monoxide detectors.

GET YOUR HOUSEHOLD PREPARED
Disaster can strike anywhere, anytime.

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA)- Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore is tightening the financial belt in the Judicial Department amid budget concerns, and the effect will be seen by the general public.

Thursday, Judge Moore sent an order to all the state's circuit clerks offices ordering them to close their doors to the public on Wednesdays. The order goes into effect on March 20, 2013.

Circuit clerks offices are responsible for numerous legal duties including maintainance of records involving court proceedings, as well dealing with public records, licenses and certificates. It also files papers on behalf of the courts.  

Judge Moore, who presides over the administrative duties of the court, cites the "chronic and substantial lack of adequate funding of the Judicial Branch...[which has] resulted in myriad problems..." as the primary reason for the order.

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are teaming up to promote National Severe Weather Preparedness Week March 3-9. Sponsored by FEMA and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Severe Weather Preparedness Week encourages individuals, families, businesses and communities to know about severe weather risks, take action to prepare for them, and Be a Force of Nature by encouraging others to get prepared.

Each year, many people are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes and other types of severe weather, despite advance warning. In 2012, there were more than 450 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,600 injuries nationwide. Severe weather knows no boundaries and affects every individual in every region.