Daylight Saving Time is March 12, 2017
Move your clocks forward by 1 hour
Daylight saving started formally in the United States back in 1918 to PRESERVE DAYLIGHT! The formal practice started in Germany and Austria to conserve fuel that produced electricity. When the US enacted this policy it also established standard time zones. The Daylight Savings Act has been repealed, reenacted, instituted and made a local option since it began. In 1974, President Nixon signed a Federal Law enacting the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act of 1973. This provided consistency across our country. Since then amendments have been made as to what date and time to start and end. Most of Arizona does not follow the daylight saving schedule (Navajo Tribal Lands do) and Hawaii doesn’t also.
Now that you know the history of daylight saving (probably more than you wanted) is it still needed for energy efficiency? Most people do and other countries such as Cuba, Argentina, Mexico, Chili use it to conserve energy. There are also safety concerns that are associated with changing our clocks. Rising before the sun comes up puts more people on the dark roads which could lead to increase of accidents and crime. Also, Studies have shown increases in heart attacks following the Spring Daylight Saving time change.
Texas Mutual recognizes these safety risks and has published another one of their “Tool Box Talks” to help mitigate these risks. The time change has a proven impact on our bodies and affect our work. To bring awareness to the downside of time change it is important to remember some of these risks. As stated before, Commuters traveling in the dark hours of the morning and the change in sleep patterns can increase the risk of auto accidents. The days immediately following the Spring time change people on average have to adjust their sleep patterns and may have on average 40 min. less sleep. This can lead to fatigue and contributes to around 6% increase in workplace injuries. With even the small change of just 1 hour change this can interrupt our circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms control our mood, appetite and energy levels. Cluster headaches and heart attacks have increased the week after the Spring time change.
Ways to combat and reduce the risks of time change:
· Going to bed earlier the night before the time change can ensure you get enough rest. Creating a calming ritual before going to bed and waking at the same time each day is a good sleep practice.
Texas Mutual also suggests using this Spring time change to stay safe year round by:
· Change out the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
· Check the gauges on your fire extinguishers to make sure they are properly charged.
· Review your emergency evacuation plan with all members of your household or office.
· Check your first aid kits and replace any missing supplies.
