Salisbury Fire Department

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.  In 2005, the U.S. Congress passed a law extending DST by one month as of 2007.

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 FORWARD one hour either at 0200 Sunday 13 March 2016, or tonight prior to going to sleep!!!