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Insights > Spring forward: Daylight saving time starts March 10
Spring forward: Daylight saving time starts March 10
03/06/2024
This year, daylight saving time starts at 2 a.m. local time on March 10. Remember to spring forward and set your clocks one hour ahead.
The shift can lead to reduced sleep quantity and quality. As we experience longer, warmer days rolling into spring, here’s a few safety tips to help manage the time change.
Get enough rest
Prepare your body for daylight saving time by going to bed 15 to 20 minutes earlier than usual each night the week before time changes. Starting a week early can help make it easier for your body to adjust to a new sleep schedule.
These tips can help you maximize your energy:
- Get seven to nine hours of sleep every day.
- Try to go to bed at the same time every day.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, watching TV or using a cell phone before bed.
- Sleep in a quiet room.
Manage fatigue
According to the National Safety Council, nearly four out of 10 employees in the U.S. suffer from sleep loss, and when workers are fatigued, they are at a higher risk for injury. About 13% of work injuries are attributable to sleep problems.
Consider the following to help with fatigue at work:
- Increase blood flow by standing and stretching at your workstations or take a quick walk.
- Take scheduled breaks, get a few minutes of fresh air or seek a comfortable and quiet environment to catch your breath.
- Avoid driving if you feel extremely fatigued.
- Tell someone. If you need a break, tell a co-worker or supervisor before performing critical work so mitigation plans, like a peer-check, can be put in place to prevent an injury or event.
- Keep an eye out for co-workers and encourage them to try one of these tips.
Check your home equipment
Daylight saving time is also a good time to review your home safety checklist. Consider reviewing emergency plans with family in the event of a natural disaster or other catastrophic event. Replace batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors or replace the entire device, if necessary. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years, and carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced every five years, but batteries for both should be replaced every year.
Keeping these tips in mind will help keep you and your loved ones safe throughout spring, summer and fall.
This year, daylight saving ends on Sunday, Nov. 3, which is the day we’ll set our clocks back one hour.
