[caption id="attachment_1521" align="aligncenter" width="167" caption="It's that time of year to "fall back" and set your clocks back 1 hour for Daylight Savings this Sunday, November 6!"]
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Many things come to mind with Daylight Savings. For the spring, it means more sunlight, equaling long summer nights. For the fall - more specifically, this November 6 - it means gaining an extra hour of sleep. While some prefer one over the other, everyone can ultimately benefit from Daylight Savings if they use it as a semi-annual "check-up." Here's how Daylight Savings can benefit you and your home:
• Check and replace smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries. Don't let a fire be the first to test whether or not your detectors are up to par. Check your detectors every Daylight Savings to make sure they're up and running properly.
• Rummage through your medicine cabinet. It's almost frightening to think of the amount of medicine that expires in our medicine cabinets. Be sure to check expiration dates and throw out and replace as needed.
• Update the household disaster kit. Just like our medicine cabinets, our disaster kits and first aid kits can become outdated very quickly. Make sure they are properly stocked with all the essentials.
• Adopt the "spring cleaning" mentality for the fall as well. Encourage your family to go through their dressers and closets and donate clothing, toys, and other items that haven't been used in the past year. Doing this every Daylight Savings will make for an organized, clutter-free environment.
• Take care of your health. Although this doesn't necessarily need to be done every 6 months in alignment with Daylight Savings, devote either the spring or fall savings to getting your annual check-up with your doctor, dentist, and any other healthcare professional. This rule can also be applied to pets and automobiles.
• Reevaluate your finances. Are you where you goaled yourself to be 6 months ago? If not, reevaluate your financial spending and goals and make the proper adjustments.
• Spruce up your space. Although total home renovations aren't very cost effective, small changes throughout your home such as painting an accent wall, hanging new curtains, or moving around your furniture can make your home feel new and refreshed.
Don't forget to turn your clocks BACK 1 hour this Sunday, November 6!
