Daylight Savings Time is one of those things that I dread and look forward to all at the same time. I HATE losing that hour of sleep, but I love having the extra daylight hours. During the winter I feel like the days are so short and I have no time to do things after work. But once the clocks change in the spring it feels like a whole new world!
Daylight Savings Time is a great time to do some of those tasks that you should be doing regularly, but don’t get around to. Here are a few things to take care of when the time change hits (besides re-setting your clocks).
Change the Batteries in Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Experts recommend changing the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors twice a year. It’s likely that the batteries you switch out aren’t ready to be tossed yet, however! While they’re not fully charged, you can still use them in things like your children’s toys and various electronic devices.
Do Some Patio Prep
If you haven’t already, soon enough you’ll be springing outside to enjoy the warmer weather on your patio. DST is the perfect opportunity to clean the furniture, change the lightbulbs, sweep and even add some container plants to spruce things up after a long, cold, and dreary winter.
Change Your Filters
When Daylight Savings starts, be sure to check and change the filters on your air conditioner(s), vacuum cleaner, dishwasher, and humidifier. *Helpful Hint: Write the date your change the filters on the filters so you know when you need to do it again.
Clean Out the Dryer Filter and Duct
Clean out your dryer filter and vent duct! Lint buildup is a major cause of household fires, so be sure (along with frequent lint trap cleaning), to clean the vent duct thoroughly.
Rotate Your Mattress
Who doesn’t want better sleep — especially when we’re losing an hour of it? Surprisingly, many mattresses don’t need to be flipped twice a year, as consumers used to be told. Rotating it might be enough.
Research the type of mattress you have — only some innerspring mattresses need flipping while others from some top brands need to stay right-side up. Many people now own foam mattresses, and many of those companies recommend you rotate your mattress 180 degrees every three to six months. Pleasant dreams.
Restock Your Emergency/Hurricane Kit
It may only be March, but Hurricane season and potentially bad weather are right around the corner. Take this time to check your kit and see what needs to be replaced or added. Restock your emergency preparedness kit including food and water sufficient for at least three days, medications, a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
