Spring Ahead Cumming! Get Ready For Daylight Saving Time

This is the weekend where we set the clocks forward one hour at 2 a.m. on Sun., March 13 as Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins.

According to timeanddate.com, DST is a way of getting more light out of the day by advancing clocks by one hour during the summer. During DST, the sun appears to rise one hour later in the morning, when people are usually asleep anyway, and sets one hour later in the evening, seeming to stretch the day longer.

With the loss of one hour’s sleep on Sunday, here are some tips to stay on track this weekend and every day (courtesy of ).

• Go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning, including weekends.
• Exercise regularly, but finish at least three hours before bedtime.
• Eat healthy, but finish eating at least 2-3 hours before your regular bedtime.
• Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol close to bedtime.
• Replace sugar and caffeine with healthy snacks such as carrots or a granola bar.

Aside from setting the clocks ahead one hour and losing sleep, it may also be a good time to change out the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

“When you move your clocks ahead one hour on March 13, take the opportunity to replace the batteries in your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors,” Forsyth County Fire Chief Danny Bowman said in a statement. “This takes only a few minutes and it is something that could prove to be life-saving.”  

Senior citizens and residents who are financially in need can contact the Public Safety Division of the fire department to find out how to receive a free smoke detector. Call the Public Safety Educator, Michele, at 770.781.2180 ext. 4028.