Salisbury Fire Department

~~Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday morning at 0200 and we return to Standard Time.  Here's some historical information as to why:

The History of Daylight Saving Time

Most U.S. residents set their clocks one hour forward in spring and one hour back in fall. However, residents of Arizona and Hawaii—along with the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, among others—will do nothing. Those locales never deviated from standard time within their particular time zones.  Contrary to popular belief, no federal rule mandates that states or territories observe Daylight Saving Time and Ben Franklin did not come up with the idea of DST.

There is evidence that the ancient Romans utilized a form of DST in the scales of their water clocks during different months of the year to adjust the daily schedules of solar time.  Germany and Austria-Hungary were the first countries to adopt modern DST during WW1 with the rationale being to minimize the use of artificial lighting to save fuel for the war effort.  While Germany popularized DST’s use globally, it was actually first utilized on a local level in Thunder Bay, Canada in 1908.

The United States formally adopted DST in March of 1918 but after WW1, the concept was so unpopular that the Act implementing DST was repealed.  During WWII, President Franklin Roosevelt instituted “year-round” DST from 1942-1945.  Through the years, there have been numerous Acts addressing DST with even more amendments to these Acts and states have generally been given the ability to opt out, or partially utilize, DST.  In 2005, the U.S. Congress passed a law extending DST by one month as of 2007.  In 2019, Daylight Saving (there is no “s” at the end!) Time will begin on Sunday March 10, and end on Sunday November 3.

Today, approximately 70 countries utilize DST with most equatorial countries generally not taking part since daylight hours are similar throughout the year.  China, Japan, and India do not observe DST. 

While some areas of the country will do nothing to change their clocks, EVERYONE should use the event to change the batteries in their smoke alarms!!  (If you still have the type of smoke alarm that uses 9V batteries)  Smoke alarms and 9V batteries are “cheap insurance.”  The price of either is certainly worth what the two return on their investment.  And, if you need either a smoke alarm, or a 9V battery, please contact your local fire department to obtain them.  If you live in the SFD fire district, contact us at 410.548.3120 or www.salisburyfd.com and we will come install them for you, free of charge.

Newer models of smoke alarms are “sealed” and have a battery life of approximately ten (10) years.  However, all smoke alarms should be checked each month to ensure they are working properly.

Don’t forget to move your clock BACKWARD one hour either at 0200 Sunday November 4, or Saturday night prior to going to sleep!!! 

For more info visit:  webexhibits.org

Stay Safe!