Sunday, March 10 is daylight saving time, when our clocks will be moved forward by one hour. It's also a good time to make sure your home is fire-safe. (Dreamstime)

By Jordan Davidson

one hour ahead

‘Spring forward’ and check your smoke detectors this Sunday

Mar 9, 2024 | 6:25 AM

NANAIMO — The bi-annual change of the clocks is upon us once again.

B.C. residents will “spring forward” one hour on Sunday, March 10, at 2 a.m. local time, but it’s also a good time to make sure your home is fire-safe.

Assistant fire chief with Nanaimo Fire Rescue Stu Kenning said the place to start is your smoke detectors, as a working alarm could literally be the difference between life and death.

“You should be checking it once a month, but it is good right now. I have a policy to go check it also when you go to change your clocks. Once a month is ideal, but we do recommend it when we spring forward and fall back to check your smoke detectors.”

Carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and outside exhaust vents should also be checked to ensure they’re in good working order, said Kenning.

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If you find yourself without a working smoke detector in your home, the City has you covered.

“The City of Nanaimo has a program where if you cannot do it or if you do not have one, you can fill out a form on our website and we can try to come to you and assist you by installing one.”

More information on the City’s smoke alarm installation program can be found here.

While other places have started to do away with the twice-a-year time change, B.C. is still waiting for some of its southern neighbours to make the change first.

Premier David Eby said last year he is “very much looking forward to getting rid of daylight-savings time”, but wants to remain in sync with west coast states like Washington, Oregon, and California.

Canada formally adopted daylight saving time in 1918 as a wartime production measure, however, the practice of adjusting time to better use daylight hours dates back to the ancient Romans.

Over 70 countries around the world use some form of daylight savings time adjustment throughout the year, while some, such as Australia, don’t have all their states make the switch.

— with files from Jon De Roo/97.3 The Eagle

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow