People across the nation will be enjoying one extra hour of sleep tomorrow as daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday.

As the days grow shorter, the return to standard time makes waiting for the school bus in the morning a bit safer.

"In October, during the last couple weeks of daylight savings time, there's concern about students waiting in the bus line in the dark," Gainesville City Schools Superintendent Merriane Dyer said. "Half of the students arrive to school before it becomes daylight. We're always glad to see the time change. It's safer for them, safer for drivers on the road and easier on the parents."

Since 2007, daylight saving time has run from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.

It was extended as part of the 2005 Energy Policy Act.

The change was introduced as a means of capturing more daylight hours in the early spring and late fall months, hopefully resulting in a decrease in energy consumption.

Public safety officials across the area encourage safety when the clocks change, saying this is a good time of year to put new batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Batteries should be replaced at least twice annually.

Fire Marshal Capt. Scott Cagle said smoke alarms should be installed in the sleeping areas and hallways for maximum protection.

"Smoke alarms are so important," he said. "You have 50 percent higher of a chance of surviving a house fire if you have smoke alarm in your house."

"It takes only a few minutes and could prove to be life saving," Forsyth County Fire Chief Danny Bowman said.

Officials also encourage testing the alarms monthly.