Time to Fall Back, Prepare for Winter

Today is the last day of Daylight Saving Time, as we all Fall back early Sunday morning.

Now while this might cause some to sigh, realizing that the darker days of winter are right around the corner, Half Hollow Hills residents can rest assured tonight knowing they'll be getting an extra hour of sleep.

Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday and Standard Time begins, lasting until next March.

(For a primer as to why we Fall back and Spring forward, click here.)

While residents are turning their clocks back - making sure everything from traditional wall clocks and wrist watches to the digital clocks in their cars, laptops, phones and other electronic devices are properly set - there are a few other things that the American Red Cross advises residents of HHH and elsewhere to do.

For one, the American Red Cross recommends that everyone take the time to get prepared for Fall and Winter by checking their emergency preparedness supplies - a step that could save time during an emergency. (Necessary tiems could be found online at the American Red Cross store website.)

The organization also recommends that residents check the batteries in home smoke alarms, and make sure the alarms work by pushing the test button.

It’s also a good time to check carbon monoxide detectors. Residents should replace batteries in both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at least once a year, according to the American Red Cross.

Other recommended steps include:

• Update the emergency contact information in their family communications plan. Choose an out-of-area emergency contact that each person in the household could call if he/she becomes separated during a disaster situation.

• Make certain their emergency preparedness kit still includes at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food items and water (one gallon per person per day), a flashlight, a battery-powered or crank radio, can opener, first aid kit, copies of important documents and special items such as medications, diapers and infant formula.

• Check their emergency preparedness kit for expired food items, and refresh staples such as water, food and batteries. 

Residents can find more emergency preparedness tips and learn how families could get ready for an emergency on the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org. Tips could also be found at the ARC blog at http://blog.redcross.org.