Daylight Saving Time: What to do with that Extra Hour

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of setting the clocks forward by one hour during the summer months and back again in the fall (whether we like it or not). The idea behind DST is to save energy and make better use of the available daylight during the summer months, when the days are longer.

Did you know that the concept of DST was first proposed by a founding father of the United States and a founder of the first Fire Department in the United States. You guessed it...it was Mr. Benjamin Franklin. However, Germany was the first to practice DST as a way to conserve energy during World War I. Now many countries worldwide have adopted the DST as a way to make better use of natural daylight and to save energy. The exact dates may vary year to year, but every fall when we turn the clocks back, we gain a whopping 1 hour.

What better time to remember and to accomplish those daunting tasks than when we turn the clocks back for DST. It lands on a Sunday and you get a free hour. Here's a list of things to keep you busy that you only need to do once or twice a year:

Safety First!

• Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors: Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working properly. Make sure you check the expiration date on your detectors. They expire and have to be replaced every 10 years. Save even more time next year by installing a 10 year lithium battery detector. This detector is tamperproof and the battery can not be replaced. Simply install and replace in 10 years. Check out this UL Certified detector with a 10-year limited manufacturer warranty http://amzn.to/40hEef0

• Clean out the dryer vent: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that about 14,000 fires occur each year caused by dryers. Prevent a fire by cleaning out your dryer vent ductwork. Checkout these tools to get the job done right. https://amzn.to/3MoBkiW

• Vacuum bathroom exhaust fans: Believe it or not, so many fires start in bathroom fans and in vents due to build up of dust and lint. The motor can heat up and ignite the dust on fire. Take a vacuum hose with brush to the vent or remove cover and give the fan a good cleaning.

• Have the Chimney Inspected: About 25,000 fires start each year in chimneys. Don't let this happen to you.

Freshen Up:

• Flip your mattress: Flipping your mattress can help extend its life. If you have a memory foam mattress, rotate it 180 degrees instead of flipping it.

• Clean your coffee machine: Use this extra hour to clean your coffee machine and enjoy better-tasting coffee.

• Swap seasonal clothes: Store your beach attire until next summer. Frees up space to fit your bulky winter attire with underbed storage: https://amzn.to/477PgpT

• Clean your furnace filters or minisplits: As the weather changes, it’s a great time to check on your minisplits and/or furnace. Please wear a mask anytime working with filters, especially if you have allergies.

Outdoors:

• Clean grill and cover for the season: Soak grill grates in vinegar and baking soda. This mixture will remove the caked-on food and grease.

• Put away seasonal furniture away for the winter: Make sure your furniture is completely dry before storing.

• Clean gutters: Take the next step and make gutter cleaning a thing of the past with these: https://amzn.to/3MtAq4v

• Clean behind appliances: You may be surprised as to what you might find.

• Clean refrigerator coils: This is something we never think about, but cleaning your refrigerator coils can help your refrigerator run more efficiently and save energy!

These are just a few ideas to get you started. You can also use this extra hour to tackle other home maintenance tasks you’ve been putting off.

I hope this helps!

-Peasy