Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 2:00 a.m. and California clocks “fall back” by one hour. Falling back means an extra hour of sleep and this is also an ideal time to catch up on some of those things never rise to the point of critical but still need to be done. Here are four safety tips we have found valuable.
#1: Test Your Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors – The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends changing your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries during the beginning and end of daylight savings time each year. Be sure to also test all of the detectors in your home—there’s a handy “test” button on all devices, and it takes only a few seconds to give you peace of mind. Finally, if your smoke alarm is more than 10 years old, consider replacing each unit. These actions can go a long way towards reducing the risk of house fires and burn injuries.
#2: Purge Your Medicine Cabinet – Fall is a great time to go through your medicine cabinet. This may be a great time to stock up on crucial medicines to get you and your family through cold and flu season. This may also be a good time to properly dispose of any expired prescription or non-prescription drugs. In addition, keep an eye out for any dangerous drugs that may have been subject to recalls. While many medications can simply be discarded in the household trash, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some require special disposal methods. Here are some quick tips for proper medication disposal:
- Follow any specific disposal instructions on the prescription drug labeling or patient information that accompanies the medicine. Do not flush medicines down the sink or toilet unless this information specifically instructs you to do so.
- Take advantage of programs that allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper disposal. Check with your local law enforcement agencies to see if they sponsor medicine take-back programs in your community. You can also contact your trash and recycling service to learn about medication disposal options and guidelines for your area.
- Transfer unused medicines to collectors registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Authorized sites may include retail, hospital or clinic pharmacies, and law enforcement locations. Some offer mail-back programs or drop boxes. Visit the DEA’s website for more information and to find an authorized collector in your community.
#3: Get Your Car Ready for Winter – One of the greatest impacts of the end of daylight savings time each year is how much earlier it gets dark outside. If you’re used to driving in the early evening, keep in mind that you’ll probably need to turn on your headlights sooner than you’re accustomed to while heading home from work. In addition, be sure to check out some of our winter car maintenance guides below to help prevent avoidable car accidents.
#4: Take Extra Precautions as a Pedestrian or Cyclist – Pedestrians and bicyclists are at a greater disadvantage when daylight savings time comes to an end. Shorter days and decreased sunlight make non-motorists more difficult to see and thus much more prone to pedestrian and/or bicycle accidents. Drivers who are still getting used to the time change may not be on the lookout for foot or bike traffic and this is especially true at dawn or dusk. Pedestrians and bicyclists are encouraged to take extra precautions during this time of year, including wearing bright, reflective clothing, using bike lights, and sticking to protected sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes whenever possible.
We represent people who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. The reason that insurance companies have paid our clients in excess of $130,000,000.00 is that we get the facts and are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial when insurance companies fail to offer full compensation. We help with serious injuries that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth, LLP. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of experience specializing in only representing injured people. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or visit www.gblegal.com
