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A big step in time

So you've always wanted to get ahead. There's no time like the present, or at least early Sunday morning, to make your move.

Most Americans – at least those who remember – will set their clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday. That means one less hour of sleep, extended darkness in the mornings until October and extended daylight in the evening. More time to work in the yard and garden and less time for morning walks.

Technically, Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday. Under law, daylight saving time is observed from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October, with the nation returning to standard time starting Sunday, Oct. 30. Federal law does not require any area to observe daylight time, but those that do must follow the starting and ending dates set by the law. No resetting of clocks is required for those parts of the country not observing daylight time: Arizona, Hawaii, the part of Indiana located in the Eastern time zone, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas.

The U.S. Department of Transportation urges motorists to guard against drowsy driving on Sunday or Monday because they will get an hour less sleep.

A customary practice also is to conduct a semiannual test of all smoke alarm batteries to ensure they function properly. It's advised to replace batteries every time we change our clocks in the fall and spring. For more information about the switch to Daylight Saving Time, visit this web site: http://webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/