More Than Just Changing the Clocks

Home Tasks for Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00am on Sunday. While we will change the clocks an hour ahead, there are several other tasks that should be completed every six months around your home.

spring forwardUse Daylight Saving Time as a reminder to complete these tasks and keep your home clean, safe, and free from claims.

Safety

  1. Check and change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. According to Good Housekeeping, Flames can consume a home in as little as five minutes, and the risk of dying in a fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.
  2. Vacuum out dryer vents and ducts. Prevent dryer fires by making sure your vents and ducts are lint-free.
  3. Restock emergency and first aid kits. Make sure you have flashlights, batteries, and first aid supplies in stock.

Cleaning

  • Flip your mattress or rotate if you have a pillowtop.
  • Wash your pillows to remove dust, skin, and oil. Replace pillows after two years.
  • Clean fridge coils to keep your fridge running efficiently.
  • Replace or clean filters. Check filters in air conditioners, vacuums, and fridge to make sure they are still running well.
  • Clean the oven. Clean any major spills as they occur to prevent oven fires. Deep cleaning the oven twice a year should be often enough to keep any small spills from adding up.

Technology

  • Back up devices. Back up phones, computers, and tablets so you don’t lose your data in case of a device failure or crash.
  • Update Passwords. Passwords should be updated regularly, even more often than every 6 months. Use Daylight Saving Time as a reminder if you haven’t changed your passwords lately.
  • Check that Security Software is up to date. Make sure you are running the most current version of security software to protect your devices from viruses and hackers.

For more information and directions on how to complete these tasks see our Pinterest Board – Daylight Savings Tips.

Sources: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a25268/daylight-saving-things-to-do/ http://blog.bedbathandbeyond.com/2015/10/things-daylight-saving-time-ends/ http://www.history.com/news/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-daylight-saving-time