In most of the United States, Daylight Saving Time begins on the 2nd Sunday in March and reverts to Standard Time the first Sunday in November.  So, mark November 1st on your calendar to change your clocks!  Each year, we “Spring Forward” and “Fall Backward”, if we don’t forget! 

To ensure that we don’t “fall backward” on safety, this marks an excellent time to do a home safety evaluation.  The National Fire Protection Association recommends that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms be checked once a year.  Their figures show that around ninety per cent of homes in the United States have smoke alarms; however one-third of those are estimated to have dead or missing batteries.  They also recommend that smoke alarms be replaced after 10 years.  Some newer types of alarms have remote controls, making it easier than ever to check them.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be:
*  Installed on every level of the home, and in sleeping areas
*  Tested once a month
*  Equipped with new batteries annually

Also, keep a fire extinguisher handy, and have a fire escape plan for every member of the family.  While you are doing your home safety evaluation, also ensure that your door locks function properly, and keep your home locked.

Here’s a great story from WFRV TV: A Milwaukee entrepreneur wants Americans to do more than spring forward and fall back for daylight saving time.  L. Maxwell McKissick suggests that when people move their clocks forward or back an hour, they donate those 60 minutes by volunteering in their communities.
McKissick is trying to start a national movement. He says gaining 60 minutes gives people time to help nonprofits or pick up trash. And he says losing 60 minutes means nonprofits have one less hour to serve their missions, so people can still give an hour, which will make a big difference in their communities, especially if millions of folks donate one hour.   He hopes the experience will also help people realize how fun and easy it is to help out.
Could you spare an hour?