Clocks will change once more to Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, March 8.
Residents going to bed on Saturday, March 7, will need to set their clocks ahead one hour before going to bed, remembering the phrase, “Spring forward, fall back.’’
While the time officially changes at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, most residents choose to make the transition prior to bedtime on Saturday.
Since 1986, Daylight Saving Time had started on the first Sunday in April and ended on the last Sunday in October. Beginning in 2007, the time change began on the second Sunday in March with the reversion to standard time on the first Sunday in November.
Moving the clock forward each spring allows an added hour of daylight for outdoor activities, such as summer league baseball and softball, spring cleaning for residents who are anxious to tackle chores around the home and gardeners ready to plant.
Moving the clocks back in November, returns residents to standard time.
In short, residents will rise to less sunlight during the morning hours immediately after the change while darkness will seem to come an hour later after the change.
Sunset is now prior to 6 p.m., but will move to just before 7 p.m. after the time change later this week. Days will continue to grow longer in the coming months until the longest days in the year, coming in late June.
The shortest period of daylight during the year occurs traditionally in late December as winter begins just before Christmas.
Fire alarm safety
Meanwhile, the International Association of Fire Chiefs reminds everyone that the time change is always a good time to change the batteries in home smoke detectors.
Although 88 percent of American households have smoke detectors, one-third are not working due to weak or missing batteries.
More than 4,000 are killed in house fires each year in the U.S. with another 25,000 injured. Eighty-five percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
Having a working smoke detector more than doubles a person’s chances of survival.
The U.S. Fire Association also offers the following tips for fire safety:
• Place a smoke alarm on each level of the home and in all outside bedrooms.
• Check smoke detectors monthly by pushing the test button. If the button cannot be easily reached, push the test button by using a broom handle.
• Change the batteries in the fire alarms at least twice a year.
• Teach children what they should do in the event of a fire.
• If cooking sets off the alarm, do not disable it. Either turn on a range hood, open a window or simply wave a towel in front of the detector.
• Smoke alarms wear out over time. Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years.