The time will be springing forward one hour Sunday morning this weekend as daylight saving time commences.
The time change will occur at exactly 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 9, and will change again at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2.
The controversial idea of changing the clock to allow for more hours of daylight during the day began in the late 1800s and while it started in Europe, American politicians were quick to bring it here.
The clocks will move forward one hour this weekend. The phrase “spring forward” is used to help associate the spring time change with moving forward one hour.
But as the time changes in Decatur County, allowing more daylight for those who during the day and for farmers during the harvesting season, city and county residents are reminded to change their smoke detectors as well.
Officials with Bainbridge Public Safety are urging residents to not only check their smoke detectors Sunday, but to change the batteries. With the time change falling every six months and life of a battery lasting close to the same duration, safety officials say the time change is a great reminder.
To save lives and prevent injuries, the Bainbridge Public Safety Department released a statement this week they are adopting the program, “Change your clock, change your batteries.”
Adrienne Harrison with the City of Bainbridge said the program urges Americans to adopt a simple, lifesaving habit twice each year.
The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are sleeping. Smoke alarm maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. A working smoke alarm can give your family the extra seconds you need to get out of a home fire safely.
In addition, the Bainbridge Public Safety Department recommends residents use the “extra” hour they save from the time change to test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors by pushing the test button, planning “two ways out” and practicing escape routes with the entire family. Families should also prepare a fire safety kit that includes working flashlights and fresh batteries.