Tag Archives: spring forward

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

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, High Visibility Safety

DON’T FORGET TO “SPRING FORWARD” THIS SUNDAY!

Once again, the time has rolled around to wind those clocks ahead one hour, or “Spring  Forward”!  Sunday, March 11th is the day you lose an hour of sleep, but there will be more light at the end of the day.  (A little more time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th!)  Here’s some information that we presented previously about the pro’s and con’s of Daylight Savings Time, plus an extra tip or two:

A study done by the National Sleep Foundation showed that immediately following the time change in the spring:

  • 40% of adults were sleepy enough that it interfered with their daily activities,
  • 62% drove while drowsy,
  • 27% dozed off (if only for a few seconds) while driving,
  • 18% experienced sleepiness at least a few days per week, and
  • 32% know someone who had an accident by falling asleep at the wheel.

Those favoring Daylight Savings Time enjoy sporting activities after working hours, and retail businesses love it because it gives them the opportunity to remain open in order for folks to shop after work.  Farmers who rise before dawn and depend on working by sunlight may not be as happy with Daylight Savings Time.  During harvesting of grain, for example, they must wait until the dew evaporates, leaving less time for their helpers to do their job.

It was predicted that there would be a reduction in power usage with days having more sunlight, but it has been shown that power usage increased in the early morning hours, as people must get up for work in the dark to prepare for their day.  Maybe it’s a Catch-22, because research has shown that traffic fatalities are reduced when there is more afternoon light; however, the early morning darkness brings more danger for workers commuting to work, and children walking to catch the school bus in the dark.   This would be a good time to be sure your children are highly visible if they ride their bikes or catch a school bus, as there are all types of high-visibility decals that can be attached to their bikes or backpacks to ensure they will be seen.  When the time changes again in November, statistics show an increase in evening traffic accidents immediately following the change.

Some of us take the change in stride, and never worry about the difference an hour makes. (After all, we get it back in the fall.)  The main thing is that we adapt and be thankful we are able to carry on, and have the freedom to complain about things we don’t like, such as the time change.  Stay safe, and make the most of that extra hour of sunshine!

P.S. Let’s not forget our friends in Japan, who suffered the earthquake and tsunami this time last year.  They are still struggling to recover, and searches for those lost continue.

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!