Daylight Saving Time in NH — More Than Changing the Clock
It's the weekend to change the clocks one hour forward at 2 a.m., as Daylight Saving Time begins early Sunday morning.
It's not a favorite ritual for people to perform, but there's no consensus as to what should be the permanent time.
A poll by the Associated Press and the University of Chicago in November showed 43% of respondents would prefer to keep Standard Time all year, 32% Daylight Saving Time all year, and 25% keep switching.
The chair of a House Energy and Commerce Committee subcommittee, which took up the issue on Wednesday, hasn't made up his mind either.
"While I have yet to decide whether I support a permanent switch to Standard or Daylight Saving Time, it’s time we stop changing our clocks. I believe that any justifications for springing forward and falling back are either outdated or are outweighed by the serious health and economic impacts we now know are associated with the time changes," subcommittee chairman Rep. Frank Pallone, D-NJ, said at the hearing.
Permanent Daylight Saving Time in New Hampshire?
Republican New Hampshire state Rep. Josh Yokela sponsored a bill that would at least put making a change on the table for discussion. HB 1287 would designate March as Sleep Awareness Month "to raise awareness about how the loss of sleep negatively affects productivity, health, and safety, including workplace and car accidents."
The bill also requires the governor to call a hearing on switching to permanent Daylight Saving Time as well as bringing it to the attention of the state's congressional delegation, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce " because of the negative impact on the productivity, health, and safety of the citizens of New Hampshire."
The bill is currently in committee.
Maine has a law on the books that would move the state into Atlantic Standard Time if New Hampshire and Massachusetts were to do the same.
Smoke Detectors and Battery Check
No matter one's opinion on Daylight Saving Time, the clock change presents an opportunity to check the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
East Kingston Fire Chief Ed Warren has these suggestions from the National Fire Protection Association:
- Test all smoke alarms at least once a month, pressing the test button to ensure the alarm functions properly.
- Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.
- Alarms with any other type of battery need a new battery at least once a year. When you change your clocks, also replace regular batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Smoke alarms have a shelf life of 10 years. Be sure to replace them after 10 years of use.
- CO alarms should be replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Smoke alarms should be installed in each room of the house. CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each bedroom or sleeping area, on every story of the home, and in other locations required by standards, codes, or laws.
- Make sure alarms interconnect so that when one alarm sounds, they all do.
New Jersey 101.5's Michael Symons contributed to this report
Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH