Missing an hour of sleep might sound like nothing, but what about millions of people losing that hour, all on the same day? Daylight saving time begins Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m., and research shows that traffic fatalities nationwide increase by 6% the week following the “spring forward” time change. Most of those occur in the morning hours.

Safer streets together

The City of Carlsbad has made great progress in reducing injury collisions in recent years. Please help this trend keep heading in the right direction by following these five tips:

• Slow down and stay alert. Even if you’re not tired, others on the road could be.
• Pay extra attention during the dark morning hours when it can be harder to see other people on the road.
• If you’re walking or biking, wear reflective strips, bright colors and carry a light. Bikes are required to have front and rear lights if you’re riding in the dark.
• You can always use your phone as a flashlight if you’re walking – just stay focused on your surroundings and not your apps.
• A lighted or reflective collar and leash are great ways to be seen if you’re walking with a furry friend.

Other Daylight Saving Time reminders

• Test your smoke alarms by pressing and holding the test button. Replace the unit if it doesn’t make a sound; replace batteries annually. If it has a sealed 10-year battery, replace the entire unit every 10 years. Alarms should be installed on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and in hallways leading to sleeping areas. For assistance, contact the City of Carlsbad Fire and Life Safety Division at 442-339-2665.
• Adjust the automatic timers controlling lights inside and outside your home. This will help save energy, too, as the days get longer.
• Trim landscaping to improve visibility. Darker mornings mean more shadows that make it harder to see when you’re leaving for work, etc.
• Check your automatic sprinklers to make sure you’re watering during times when the water is least likely to evaporate (Usually dusk to dawn). Be mindful of rain in the forecast and be ready to turn sprinklers off as needed.