Tag Archives: daylight saving time

General Safety Issues

A GENTLE REMINDER: “SPRING FORWARD” SUNDAY!

Although the first day of Spring is not until March 20th, and most will agree,there have been few signs of Spring so far.  However, for those in the timezone that is affected by the time change, it is a good idea to set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.  That way you won’t be late to church, or other plans you may have for that day.

Folks either love or hate Daylight Saving Time.  It gives those who enjoy golf and other sports more light in the evening.  Sunrise will be later, so for those driving to work or school, be extra careful to watch for youngsters on their bikes or walking to school.

This is a good time to check your batteries in your smoke detectors to ensure they are working correctly.  It’s also an opportunity to start preparing for warmer weather (we hope), and shop for any personal protective equipment you may need.  If you are a gardener or yard worker, be sure you have some good gloves, eye protection, and dust masks for mowing.  Other industrial businesses need to check their list for products that keep their workers more comfortable and stock up on supplies before it does get warm.

The folks at Texas America Safety Company and Blog4Safety hope that Spring arrives on time, as it has been such an extremely cold winter for most of the U.S.  Remember, too, that when you make a purchase and mention our Blog, you will receive a 5% discount. 

 

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

REMINDER: “FALL BACK” SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd!

Reminder: DST is here again!

With an extra hour of sleep and an earlier sunset, daylight saving time (also called daylight savings time) ends this weekend.  Remember to set your clock back one hour by Sunday, November 3, before 2 a.m.  Most folks go ahead and fall back before they fall into bed on Saturday night.

That means clock confusion is once again ticking away, giving rise to hotly debated questions: Why do we spring forward and fall back? Does daylight saving time (DST) really save energy? Is it bad for your health?  For most Americans daylight saving time will end with a “fall back” to standard time on Sunday, November 3, at 2 a.m. Most states “sprang forward” an hour to begin DST on  Sunday, March 10.  There are different opinions on which is preferred. 
In the United States, the North might enjoy the time change more because the North doesn’t have as much air conditioning. But the South is a definite loser in terms of energy consumption. The South has more energy consumption under daylight saving. With more sunlight in the late hours, air conditioners are needed to run longer to keep the houses cool.

Daylight Savings Time vs Daylight Saving Time

The practice of turning the clocks one hour forward to save energy is often called “daylight savings time”. However, daylight saving time (DST) is considered to be the correct term.  DST’s descriptions vary, such as “daylight savings time”, “daylight-saving time” and “summer time”.  Many newspapers,  online sites, and broadcast media sources that cover news articles, announcements or features about daylight saving time (DST) often use the phrase “daylight savings” or “daylight savings time”. These phrases are used to describe the possible energy or electricity savings that are made (or not made) as a result of such a schedule.  However, daylight saving time (DST) is considered to be the correct term for the practice of advancing clocks to save energy because it refers to a time for saving daylight. Another correct variation is “daylight-saving time”, which includes use of the hyphen between “daylight” and “saving”.

“Daylight savings time” is still commonly used, especially in countries such as Australia, Canada and the United States. It is likely that the incorrect term “savings” entered the popular vocabulary because it is so often used in everyday contexts, such as “savings account”.

At the beginning of the DST period in the spring clocks are moved forward, usually by one hour. When DST ends in fall (autumn), clocks are turned back again. DST does not add daylight but it gives more usable hours of daylight. In that sense, DST “saves” daylight, especially during the winter months when the days get colder and darker. Standard time refers to time without DST.

The main thing is to not be early to church next Sunday morning, and to pay special attention to children going to school  as you drive to work on Monday.  Although there will be more light, still  watch for those who are walking or riding bikes.  Regardless of how you feel about the time change, it’s here again.  It seems that it is easier to adjust to it now than it used to be.

 
Sources: National Geographic; Time and Date.com

 

General Safety Issues

A GENTLE REMINDER: THAT’S ALL IT TAKES!

For those of you that live in the time zone affected by Daylight Saving Time, be sure to set your clocks one hour ahead before you go to bed tonight.  We “Spring Forward”.  There’s been many pros and cons about this time change, the main reason was to conserve energy.  Since it began, there are split decisions, we don’t save the electricity for lights, due to the fact that it is darker in the mornings, rather than earlier evening darkness in the Central Standard Time.  Drivers going to work must watch for children on their way to their school bus stop.  It should only take a few days to adjust, so please drive carefully and enjoy the new, longer lasting sunshine each day.

Also, we are reminded to change our batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.  This is an ideal time to perform that function that could save your life.  Have a good week ahead!  Wednesday, March 20th, is the first day of Spring.

General Safety Issues

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS AT 2 a.m. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH

For those who live in the Daylight Saving Time zone, be sure to set your clocks back one hour this Sunday, November 4th!   (Go ahead and set your clocks back Saturday night.) The pros and cons of this decision made by the government are debated year after year.  Many people enjoy having extra daylight to enjoy outdoor activities, and others wish it were just left alone and not changed. 

During World War I, Daylight Saving Time was instituted in the U.S. in order to save energy for war production, by taking advantage of the daylight between April and October.  Between the wars and after World War II, communities and states were able to choose whether they wanted to observe DST.  During World War II, the government again required the states to observe this change.    In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, which standardized the length of Daylight Saving Time.    

Since 2007, DST is four weeks longer, due to the passage of the Energy Policy Act in 2005.  This act extended four weeks – from the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November, hoping that it would save 10,000 barrels of oil each day through reduced use of power by businesses during daylight hours.   Unfortunately, it is very difficult to determine energy savings from this plan, based on a variety of factors.  Many persons speculate that little or no energy is saved by this time change.  Power usage increases in the early morning hours, as people must get up for work while it is still dark to prepare for their day.  Some even have to commute before daylight. 

Although research shows that traffic fatalities are reduced when there is more daylight, (DST), the early morning darkness brings more danger for workers driving to work, and children walking to catch the school bus while it’s still dark.  With the time change, statistics show an increase in evening traffic accidents immediately following the time change in November, as drivers face going home in a darker environment, and possibly children are on their bikes returning home from after-school activities.

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, 

Enjoy that extra hour of sleep we lost in the spring!

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

DON’T “REALLY” FALL, BUT BE READY TO “FALL BACKWARD” SUNDAY!

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 6th on your calendar to change your clocks!  Every year, it’s  “Spring Forward” and “Fall Backward.”   The official hour to change your clock is 2 a.m. Sunday, November 6th.  Most of us go ahead and change it before we go to bed.   We will “get back” the hour we lost in the spring, but sometimes, adjustments to the change of one hour can make a big difference in disrupting our habits.  Some parents may want to make a few modifications for their youngsters a day or two before Sunday.  Putting them to bed a little later for a couple of nights might help ease them into the new time.    

Let’s Not Forget About Safety

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.  It’s also a good idea to be sure you have a fully stocked first aid kit. 

Studies have shown an increase in accidents happen at both the beginning and ending of Daylight Saving Time.  During the beginning of the fall change, there has been an increase in pedestrian accidents and traffic accidents.  Drivers may be sleepy, while getting used to that difference in one hour; it’s harder sometimes to fall asleep an hour earlier than we are used to.  We all must be more safety-minded when we know that there are students walking or riding to school, and walking to their school bus stop.  Then, it will become dark earlier, so that’s another time that drivers should be extremely careful when returning home from work or shopping. 

An interesting fact:  The Navajo Nation participates in the DST policy, even in Arizona, (which is not in that time zone) due to its large size and location in three states.  So, if you live in the Central Time Zone location, be sure you change your clocks, and check your monitors, and start getting ready for colder weather.  It seems these time changes come along more often than ever!

 

General Safety Issues

LET’S GET A HEAD START ON DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME!

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Like it or not, this Sunday, March 13th, we will “spring forward” by setting our clocks ahead one hour.  This comes as a bitter pill to swallow for many persons.  Others take it in stride, but those who are not “morning persons” won’t be too happy about it for a while.  Canada, certain states in the U.S., and Mexico are affected by this mandated time change, as well as many other countries in the world.  During World War I, it was thought that the time change would save energy for the war effort.  The ruling has been off and on through the years, but since the Energy Policy Act of 2005, we’ve been “springing forward.” 

Here are some ideas that might help you be prepared, ahead of time:

  • Start getting ready for it now, this week!
  • Get up a little earlier than usual these last few days so you’ll be ready for Sunday.
  • Try not to take naps the weekend of the time change, so you’ll be able to go to sleep an hour earlier at bedtime.
  • Change all clocks on Saturday afternoon.
  • Think positive – get used to it as soon as possible.
  • Make arrangements for your children to get to school or to the school bus safely, because it may still be dark in your area.  If they ride their bike, or walk, be sure they wear something reflective on their clothes or bike, and accompany them, if possible for the first few days after the time change. 

I have always wished that we didn’t have this time change and have always referred to Central Standard Time as the “real time,” but as years have gone by, I have learned to adjust to it better and realize that there is extra time to get things done before the end of the day.  This is  a good time to get geared up for chores that we usually save for spring, so start planning to do a few of these things.  It always makes you feel better once you’ve done them:

  • Restock battery supplies.  Change smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, both now and after the time change in November, if necessary.
  • List special tasks that you could do annually at this time of the year.
  • Now’s the time to get ready for Spring Cleaning! (First day of Spring is March 20th).
  • Go through your old clothes and donate them to charity.
  • Get the whole family involved in cleaning out closets and passing on clothes they don’t plan to wear to someone who can use them.
  • Start sprucing up your yard.
  • Begin an your exercise program.  You will have that extra hour of sunlight, so there’s no excuse not to do it! 

Waking  up a little earlier in the mornings this week  will allow you to drive without getting drowsy.  Statistics from past time changes have shown that a high percentage of drivers drove while sleepy, and some even dozed off while driving, if only for a few seconds, immediately following the time change.  Darkness in the early hours of the day can cause more driving accidents, so be alert.  

Whether the hands on the clock point to “real time” or Daylight Saving Time, the main goal is to make the adjustment as soon as we can.   It’s time to remember: “Today is the first day of the rest of your life!”  Make every minute count!