10 Things To Do When You Set Your Clocks Forward

Here is a list of tasks that you can do when you set your clocks forward for daylight saving time to keep your home safe and running efficiently.

Mark your calendars because Daylight Saving Time is almost here.  This year Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 10 when the majority of the United States will be “springing ahead” as they change the clocks.  However, if you live in Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the US Virgin Islands, Daylight Savings Time is just another day on the calendar.

One benefit of Daylight Saving time is that it reminds you to take care of some other important home tasks that should be done at least twice a year. So while you are marking your calendars to set your clocks ahead make a plan to take care of these other important tasks in your home.

10 Things To Do When You Set Your Clocks Forward

• Replace the batteries in your Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector.  Making sure to replace and test these devices twice a year can be the difference between life and death.  Make sure to help any elderly loved ones in your life as well.  If they can’t do it on their own, some fire departments have programs that will assist.

• Reverse the direction on your ceiling fan.  In the Spring, fan blades should rotate counter-clockwise to help cool down the rooms.  In the Fall, switch the direction to clockwise which helps pull down the warm air that gets trapped near the ceiling.  Both of these measures help save cost on heating and cooling.

• Flip and rotate your mattress to help promote even wear and tear.  Unless you have a no flip mattress.  Then just rotate it.

• Schedule a furnace inspection.  This should be done twice a year to make sure your furnace is running as efficiently as possible.

• Replace the filters in your heater and air conditioner. This should actually be done several times a year to ensure they run as efficiently as possible.

• If you have a fireplace, scheduled a chimney sweep in the Fall and in the Spring take some time to clean up the fireplace and brush down the walls.

• Drain your water heater.  It is recommended that you drain one quart of water from your water heater every three months.  Make sure to check the owner’s manual for your water heater for further recommendations and how to drain the water correctly.

• Go through your medicine cabinet and first aid kit and discard any expired or discolored products.  Dispose of any prescription medication that is expired or no longer needed.  You can search on FDA.gov for how to safely dispose of medications.

• Go through your pantry and dispose of any expired or stale/opened foods.

• Daylight Saving Time is also a good time to start rotating your wardrobe.  Wash your winter clothes and inspect them for damage and wear and tear.  If you have clothes you no longer wear put them aside for a garage sale or donate them.  Pack away clothes for winter and start washing and inspecting your Spring and Summer wardrobe.

These are just a few suggestions of home preparedness tasks that should be done at least twice a year.  Plan to tackle one or two items a day in the days leading up to the time change and then you will be ready for the next seasons to start.

Do you have a list of task you do when you change the clocks?  What tasks would you add to this list?

More Household Tips:

• How to Save On Your Electric Bill
• How to Save Money on Utilities in the Summer
• 5 Ways to Make Your Home Energy Efficient
• How to Save Money on Utilities in the Winter
• 5 Frugal Ways to Winterize Your Home