WILKES-BARRE — It's that time again — daylight savings time, that is.
At 2 a.m. Sunday, we will adjust our clocks forward by an hour, which might mean less sleep for most people in the U.S.
Here in Pennsylvania, the Shapiro Administration is reminding us to change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors while adjusting our clocks for this weekend's “spring forward” time change.
When working, smoke alarms can cut the chance of dying in a home fire by as much as half.
“Smoke alarms are your family’s first defense against fire hazards,” said State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook. “When your family's safety is at risk due to a fire, a smoke alarm's early warning can make the difference between leaving your home safely, and not making it out. I can’t stress enough the importance of functional smoke detectors, especially for the older adults in your life who may require extra time to exit.”
Cook said dead or missing batteries are the most common cause of malfunction in a smoke or CO alarm. Once an alarm goes off, occupants may have less than two minutes to exit the building safely.
Creating an escape plan once your alarm goes off and practicing that plan is crucial to ensure a swift exit. Make sure to identify two exits from each room and establish a meeting place outside to ensure everyone is safe.
Cook recommends helping younger children and older adults make and practice these plans.
Often known as “the silent killer,” carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that can render victims unable to act before realizing they have been exposed. Sources can include wood-burning fireplaces and stoves, gas fireplaces, appliances, grills, generators, and motor vehicles.
Maintaining wood and gas-burning appliances is crucial to reduce the risk of malfunctions that can result in carbon monoxide exposure. Having a functioning CO detector in your home can warn you before you experience symptoms such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, disorientation, and fatigue, which are often mistaken for other common illnesses.
Homeowners unsure about maintaining or installing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can contact their local fire department for guidance. Renters should check local laws to understand any legal obligations for landlords in their area to provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
AAA: The sneaky killer lurking on our roads — drowsy driving
Driving while fighting the urge to fall asleep is a familiar sensation for many.
However, soon-to-be-published research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows the alarming deadliness of drowsy driving.
And with Daylight Saving Time approaching (Sunday, March 10 at 2 a.m.), the darker mornings and lost hour of sleep will lead to more drowsy drivers.
Previous Foundation research points directly to sleep loss as a major cause of drowsy driving crashes.
In its most recent Traffic Safety Culture Index, the AAA Foundation noted drivers mainly see drowsy driving as dangerous (95%) — but 18% of drivers confess to having engaged in the behavior in the past 30 days.
These numbers are much higher than the official government data, showing that drowsy driving crashes are reported less than they actually occur.
NHTSA says that experts in traffic safety, sleep science, and public health all agree that the impact of drowsy driving is not fully recognized.
The AAA Foundation's research, which looked closely at crash investigations and national fatal crash data, suggests that drowsy driving contributes to about 10 times more traffic deaths than the traditional crash data suggests.
“When the time changes, sleep patterns get disrupted and drivers may be more tired than they think,” said Jana Tidwell, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson. “Losing one hour of sleep requires an adjustment, so drivers should make sure to get more rest, especially on Sunday.”
Drowsiness affects drivers in several ways:
Decreased alertness: It becomes more difficult to react quickly to dangers. Having just one hour less than the recommended minimum of 7 hours of sleep increases the risk of a crash for a driver.
Impaired decision-making: The likelihood of making poor choices on the road increases. Being sleep-deprived raises the chances of making many common errors, leading to accidents. Those who are deprived of sleep for 4 or more hours experience impairment similar to those who exceed the legal BAC limit.
Microsleeps are dangerous: They can result in brief periods of unconsciousness, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and fail to react to hazards on the road.
Misjudging one's own drowsiness: Past research by the Foundation found that drivers often underestimate how drowsy they are, placing themselves and others in danger.
So, what can you do to stay safe while driving?
— Ensure you get sufficient sleep before driving. Aim for at least seven hours of sleep per night.
— Drive during your usual waking hours. Avoid driving when you feel tired or sleepy.
— Take breaks every two hours or every 100 miles traveled. Step out of the car, stretch, and get some fresh air. Plan ahead to find safe, comfortable places for breaks. Don't wait until you start feeling drowsy.
— Refrain from eating heavy meals before driving. A large meal can make you feel tired and slow.
— Stay away from alcohol and drugs. Both can impair your ability to drive. Apart from directly affecting driving, they can also intensify drowsiness.
— Pay attention to your body. If you begin to feel tired, pull over and take a break. Don't try to power through it.
— Travel with an alert passenger and take turns driving. Sharing the driving can help you stay awake and sharp.
— Don't underestimate the benefits of a short nap. A 20- to 30-minute nap can greatly improve your alertness.
