Daylight Saving Time 2017: What to know, when to spring forward
It's just about the last things kids returning from spring break need: the beginning of Daylight Saving Time 2017, and with it an hour taken away from them when they need it the most, a much-needed hour to sleep off all of those spring break ... activities.
But time marches on, spring forward we must and change the clocks we shall. Daylight Savings Time is hours away, and here's what you need to know, no matter what your age nor what you've been up to:
It's time to change the clocks
Daylight Saving Time 2017 begins Sunday, March 12 at 2 a.m. Most mobile phones, smart or otherwise, TVs and computers (desktops, laptops and tablets) will change automatically, but it won't hurt to check on Sunday morning to make sure they did. Other timepieces - such as watches, tall clocks, clocks in bell towers, kitchen appliances with clocks, alarm clocks and your car's clock - will wait for you to change them, so setting them ahead one hour tonight before you go to bad will get them on the right time come tomorrow.
Where is Daylight Savings Time observed?
The time change takes place across the U.S. except in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Arizona (but not the Navajo Indian Reservation, which does observe Daylight Saving Time).
How long does Daylight Saving Time last?
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 extended the period for Daylight Saving Time by four or five weeks annually, depending on the calendar. It changed the beginning of Daylight Saving Time from the first Sunday of April to the second Sunday of March, and the end of DST from the last Sunday in October to the first Sunday in November.
Happy 10th anniversary, longer Daylight Saving Time
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 went into effect in 2007, which was the first year the longer Daylight Saving Time period was observed.
More to do today
Though it was better spaced when Daylight Saving Time was closer to six months long than eight, changing the clocks is still a good time to change the batteries in your smoke / CO detectors. Fire safety officials recommend changing those batteries at least once a year and replacing the detectors every 10 years, even if they're hard-wired. Make it so.
When do we "fall back" and restore clocks to Standard Time?
The first Sunday in November this year is Nov. 5, and we'll return to Standard Time at 2 a.m. on that day. So if you want to watch all the devices you have automatically change themselves back to Standard Time, set your alarm clock for Nov. 5 at 1:59 a.m. - and while you're up, change all your watches and clocks that won't change themselves ... or just enjoy your extra hour of sleep, let the devices that change themselves do their thing, and turn everything else back one hour before you go to bed.
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