Tip of the Day: Prepare for daylight-saving time on March 9

Throughout most of the U.S., daylight-saving time (DST) in 2008 will start at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 9, when you move your clocks ahead one hour . . . and lose 60 minutes of sleep. (Use this calculator to find the start and end dates of DST through 2099.)

When you’re resetting your watches and clocks—including those in your cars—use this annual event as a cue to tackle the household chores listed below. They’ll enhance your safety year-round and save you some money on your utility bills, too.

Replace batteries in all smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms. Always use fresh batteries. And follow manufacturers’ instructions to ensure that those essential devices are working properly. Replace any smoke alarm that’s 10 or more years old and any CO alarm 5 or more years old with a new model. You’ll find the manufacture date on the alarms. See our exclusive interactive on smoke alarms for more information.

Reset clocks on appliances and electronics. Some newer appliances and electronics are equipped with a microchip that automatically updates clock displays at the beginning and end of daylight time. Check the owner’s manual to determine whether your gear has this feature. You’ll need to reset those items that lack a chip. Make a list of all devices that you need to handle manually: clocks, TVs, DVD players/VCRs, fax machines, cameras, and thermostats. (It’s especially important to reprogram your thermostat so that the heat in your home doesn’t switch on earlier than you intend.) Reset every item on the list in one session so that you don't skip anything.

Program thermostats for savings. Shave up to 20 percent off your heating (and cooling) costs by using  electronic setback thermostats. Most models let you program different schedules for each day, many automatically switch from heating to cooling, and some tell you when it’s time to change your furnace or air-conditioner filters.

You can save even more money by replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs and installing motion or light sensors on outdoor lighting so that fixtures turn on only when needed.

Check storage areas for hazardous materials. Properly dispose of any materials that are outdated, no longer used, or in poor condition, including compact fluorescent lightbulbs and paint. Make sure those you keep are out of the reach of children or pets.

Update your disaster plan. To respond properly to a natural disaster or other cataclysmic event, you need to have a plan in place and the necessary supplies on hand, and be prepared to act.  See our free emergency guide to prepare for a storm or disaster.

Plan accordingly when traveling. Some areas of the U.S. and a few of its territories do not observe daylight time, including Hawaii, most of Arizona, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. In Europe, daylight time runs from the last Sunday of March through the last Sunday of October.

Inspect vehicle lights. Inspect the entire lighting system in your car to ensure that all lights are working properly. Clean headlights and make sure they are correctly aligned according to the owner’s manual.

Illustration by John Taylor