MOUNTAIN AREA — The Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit of Cal Fire wants to remind everyone that on Sunday, Mar. 11, daylight saving time begins.
“When you set your clocks forward one hour please make another change that could save your life,” Cal Fire says, asking that people also change the battery in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
“A working smoke alarm provides an early warning of a fire and critical extra seconds for you to escape. If you do not have a smoke alarm in your home, now is the perfect time to purchase one and install it.”
The American Red Cross suggests using Daylight Saving Time as a reminder to change out any items in your emergency kit that may have expired and see if any items need updating.
Not crazy about the whole changing of the clocks? Blame Ben. The first American to advocate for daylight saving was Benjamin Franklin. He realized in 1784 that many people burned candles at night yet slept past dawn in the summer, wasting early-morning sunlight.
There’s a spike in heart attacks during the first week of DST due to sleep loss, so make sure you or someone near you is trained in CPR.
There are 5 percent fewer accidents involving pedestrians on the road because of DST. So for the next 6 months, it’s officially 5 percent safer for you to cross the road.
Widespread confusion was created during the 1950s and 1960s when each U.S. locality could start and end Daylight Saving Time as it desired. On one Ohio to West Virginia bus route, passengers had to change their watches seven times in 35 miles.
And lastly, DST means that we can finally enjoy after-work drinks while it’s still light out, giving all office drones, far and wide, one more happy hour. Drive safely, sleep well.
