Daylight saving time starts Sunday. Here's what you need to know about ‘springing forward.'
Your cellphone should change automatically to and from daylight saving time since it's built into the operating system. Other clocks, however, will need to be changed manually.
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Clocks spring forward an hour on Sunday, March 9.
Boston Globe
While springing the clocks forward 'kind of jolts our system,' the extra daylight gets people outdoors, exercising and having fun, said Anne Buckle, of
'The really, really awesome advantage is the bright evenings, right?' Buckle said. 'It is actually having hours of daylight after you come home from work to spend time with your family or activities. And that is wonderful.'
The downside is that these time changes do disrupt our circadian rhythm, the 24-hour internal clock in our brain that regulates cycles of alertness and sleepiness by responding to light changes in our environment. To adjust to the beginning of daylight saving time, sleep experts usually recommend going to bed a little earlier (about 15 to 20 minutes), moving up daily routines and daylight exposure, as well as taking part in relaxation techniques to improve sleep and reset your internal clock.
The sun angle increases as we head closer to spring, warming the air, melting snow, and of course, increasing the time the sun is out.
NOAA
Do all states observe daylight saving time?
Daylight saving time started in the United States in 1918 during World War I (back then it was known as 'war time') under President Wilson to save energy, although seven months later it was repealed. It wasn't until the
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The Uniform Time Act allows states to opt out of DST and observe standard time year-round, but it does not permit the adoption of permanent DST without federal authorization.
Is it time for a permanent DST?
Over the past several years, the idea of
The Sunshine Protection Act, which aims to eliminate the twice-yearly clock changes by putting the country permanently on daylight saving time, was introduced several years back, but there have been challenges. The bill has been reintroduced in the House and Senate since 2018 and nearly every time has died in committee. Despite unanimous support from the Senate in 2022, the bill was not able to clear the House of Representatives. In January,
But not everyone is on board. The American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine agree it's time to do away with time switches, but they say sticking with standard time year-round aligns better with the sun — and human biology — for more consistent sleep.
Don't forget the smoke and CO detectors
During this biannual ritual, fire officials suggest it's also a good time to check the batteries on your home's smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace any that don't work.
'Working smoke and CO alarms aer your family's first line of defense against an emergency at home,' said Jake Wark, spokesman for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services.
Last year, 80 percent of fire deaths in the state took place in people's homes. 'Tragically, we see this fact pattern play out again and again, especially with seniors in homes without working smoke alarms,' said state Fire Marshal Jon Davine.
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'Also, check the manufacturing date on smoke detectors,' he added, noting that detectors typically last about 10 years. 'They are like every other appliance, so you want to make sure they're operating properly.'
He said carbon monoxide detectors can vary by make and model and most need to be replaced every five, seven or 10 years. He suggests people check online to see what the manufacturer recommends. And be sure to 'test the detectors every month' to ensure they're working, he said.
Fire officials recommend looking for the mark of an independent testing laboratory, such as UL or Intertek. Davine said alarms purchased online, even through Amazon, often do not meet fire code.
Marianne Mizera can be reached at
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