5 Things You Might Not Know About Daylight Saving Time

Hey, we know your favourite day of the week is payday. So is ours. That’s why we worked with our friends at Kidde Canada to bring you this feature.

It might not feel like it right now, but soon flowers will start blooming, the birds will start singing, and the grass will be green because spring will be here!

And with spring comes time change. Yes, the clocks move forward this Sunday at 3 a.m., which might have you wondering what the point of daylight saving time is…besides robbing you from an hour of precious sleep.

Unless you’re one of those special few who bask in the glory of ‘springing forward’…you know, so you can get more stuff done with that extra hour of daylight like an early morning run. Or skip that run and stay in your nice warm bed.

Either way, here are a few things you might not have known about daylight saving time.

1. It was first recognized in 1916 in Germany.

Though the idea of daylight time had been around for more than a century before, Germany was the first country to adopt it as a way to save energy. By 1918, England, Canada, and the U.S. said “us too!” and started changing their clocks too. It seemed like a good idea at the time since these countries relied on coal for energy.

2. Saskatchewan says “No thanks.”

Who needs an extra hour of daylight? Not us! At least that’s what you might hear if you had a conversation about daylight saving time in Saskatchewan. As the rest of Canada springs forward, the majority of the province’s clocks stay put (with a few exceptions among the province’s border towns). Maybe they’re on to something…

3. Whether or not daylight saving time saves energy is a hot debate

Today the idea of springing forward and falling back is more controversial than in the past because some people believe it no longer saves energy the way it used to. We can’t say for sure one way or the other, but what we do know is we feel tired just thinking about it.

4. For many, ‘springing forward’ is harder than ‘falling back’

Research has shown that both early and late risers adjust well to the time switch in the fall, but people who are night owls had a particularly difficult time adjusting to the time shift in the spring.

5. More daylight could mean fewer accidents on the road

A study by U.S. researchers found that turning our clocks back in the fall could be related to more pedestrian accidents on the roads as drivers adjust to the earlier darkness. In the spring, however, they found fewer pedestrian accidents when the clocks are set forward and daylight comes earlier. Makes sense, doesn’t it? Either way, pay extra attention when you’re out on the roads this weekend!

Love it or hate it, the clocks move forward one hour this weekend. While you’re adjusting your clocks, take a few short measures to ensure the safety of your home & family.