This weekend, daylight saving time ends and standard time begins meaning that everyone needs to move their clocks back one hour (fall back) before going to sleep Saturday night.
Twice a year in Maryland and many other states in the country, Sunday does not last 24 hours. We have daylight saving time to thank for that. In the spring, actually the second Sunday in March, time changes at 2 a.m. and becomes 3 a.m. Daylight saving time begins. Then in the fall on the first Sunday in November, the changeover back to standard time (ST) occurs.
On Sunday, Nov. 6 at 2 a.m. the time falls back to 1 a.m. So the day actually lasts 24 hours. Some people remember which way to move their clocks using the phrase, “spring forward, fall back.”
The clocks spring forward again on March 12, 2023. Don’t worry. We’ll give you another reminder then.
National Geographic explains daylight saving time in this video:
County firefighters say we should also change the batteries in carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and check the smoke alarms in our homes.
Working smoke alarms and CO detectors double a family’s chance of surviving a home fire and/or an unsafe carbon monoxide level.
Maryland requires smoke alarms to have sealed-in, 10-year long-life batteries.
CYA – RT @mcfrs Early warning is crucial to getting out of a house fire alive and for surviving carbon monoxide poisoning. When you change your clocks this weekend, CYA (Check Your Alarms). @MontgomeryCoMD
📢 Life-saving tips from @mcfrs Fire Chief: https://t.co/AePKZhRCz8 https://t.co/d2KKPVc0R2 pic.twitter.com/CTHxwviR4c
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) November 3, 2022
County officials also want to remind residents that batteries do not belong in the regular trash. Improperly disposed batteries can cause fires in trash cans, on trash trucks and at the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station. This applies to all batteries including:
- Dry cell and alkaline batteries
- Lithium batteries
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Nickel-cadmium batteries
- Lead acid (vehicle) batteries
- Uninterruptible power supplies (personal and network)
- Tool batteries
The household hazardous waste drop off area at the Transfer Station accepts all batteries, including alkaline batteries, for disposal. Lead acid and/or vehicle batteries can be dropped off for no charge.
It is important to transport batteries safely when they are headed for disposal, especially larger vehicle batteries. The safest methods of transporting batteries are to protect terminals by placing each battery individually into a plastic bag or by taping the ends with masking tape or another non-metallic tape.
When carrying small batteries in your pocket, do not mix them with coins and house keys.
Here’s a short video with information on the safe disposal of batteries.
The time to “fall back” begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday.
