Millions of people will set their clocks forward one hour early Sunday for daylight saving time.
The change means residents will gain more evening sunlight but losing an hour of sleep, a practice that began in the U.S. more than a century ago.
The change, which occurs on the second Sunday of March, will be felt most Monday morning as people adjust to the earlier wake-up time.
Along with the time change, the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner are reminding residents to test their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
“Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half as you only have about two minutes to safely get out,” said Jennifer Graham, CEO of the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region. “Every second counts when there’s a home fire, and the sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get to a safer place. When daylight saving time returns this weekend, test your smoke alarms to help prevent a tragedy in your home.”
Residents needing smoke alarms can request them for free through the ReadyPA website.
Daylight saving time is observed in 48 of the 50 states. Arizona and Hawaii do not participate.
Sleep experts and safety advocates have long advocated for an end to the seasonal time change.
Although past efforts in Congress to eliminate daylight saving time have stalled, there remains discussion surrounding the issue.
Last year, then-President-elect Donald Trump had promised last year that Republicans would get ride of Daylight Saving Time, which he said “has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t!”
On Friday, Axios reported Trump said it was “hard to get excited” about changing daylight saving time.
The Red Cross has the below tips related to smoke alarms:
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.
• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. Components such as sensors can become less sensitive over time. Follow your alarm’s manufacturer instructions.
• Practice your two-minute home fire escape plan. Make sure everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to escape a burning home before it’s too late.
• Include at least two ways to get out of every room and select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone can meet.
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