Fall 2008 Day Light Savings Time

On March 9^th, 2008 people across North Temperate Zone will be losing an hour. This is due to the fall daylight-savings time change. Really no one is losing an hour. The purpose of fall daylight-savings time is to reset clocks from the spring daylight-savings time back to standard time.

The result, an extra hour of sunlight in the evenings. According to MSN Encarta, daylight-savings time was first introduced by Benjamin Franklin in 1784. The plan implemented much later however, around World War I, in order to conserve fuel needed for electrical power. The logic behind this is that by taking advantage of the extra sunlight in the morning (the earlier sunrise) means less need for lighting in the evening, which theoretically conserves energy.

Fall daylight-savings time has never really done me any favors. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that my alarm clock can reset itself, I can guarantee I'd be an hour late to work on the following Monday morning. Most newer electronic devices that utilize a clock are programmed to reset themselves. Computers, cell phones and even some alarm clocks all have been programmed to reset their internal clocks.

Other devices in your home may lack this "smart" (I use the word loosely) feature. Preparedness is your best ally in ensuring that all of the clocks in your home get reset for fall daylight-savings time. The easiest way to remember to reset your clocks is to make yourself a note and leave it somewhere where it will be highly visible to you. Both of the calendars in our house have Sunday, March 9^th, circled in bright red.

Taping a note up in the last place you visit before bed can be a helpful reminder to reset the alarm clock for fall daylight-savings time before bed. Other, lower priority, time pieces such as the microwave or coffee pot can be adjusted the next morning or at your earliest convenience.