As the days grow shorter and the nights stretch longer, the familiar shift of daylight-saving time is right around the corner. When the clocks fall back an hour, it gifts us an extra hour to relish in some much-needed rest. While this adjustment might seem simple, it’s vital to ensure that both your devices and schedules are in harmony to dodge any unnecessary confusion or early morning blunders. And let’s admit it, we’ve all been caught forgetting to change those analogy clocks around the house or office. And who hasn’t patiently waited a whole year just to get that car clock back on track?
Smoother Transitions with Automatic Device Updates:
Thanks to technology, managing the shift for daylight saving time has become notably smoother. Most internet-connected devices like computers, tablets, and smartphones will seamlessly update themselves. This means you can be confident that your gadgets will sync with the new time effortlessly, without needing manual tweaks. However, it’s still a good practice to give your devices a quick once-over to confirm the switch. After all, the last thing you’d want is to show up at work an hour earlier, disrupting that well-deserved sleep-in. Remember, technology hiccups can occasionally happen, especially if they have been switched off for a while. So, a swift glance at your devices can rescue you from potential morning mayhem.
Why do the clocks go back in October?
The practice of moving the clocks forward and backward, known as Daylight Saving Time (DST), is mainly done to make better use of natural daylight during the longer days of summer. The primary goal is to save energy by reducing the need for artificial lighting and to optimize energy consumption. When it was first introduced in 1916 it was mainly to save coal.
When the clocks “spring forward” by one hour in the spring, usually around March or April, we gain an extra hour of daylight in the evening. This aims to reduce the amount of energy required for lighting homes and businesses during the evening hours.
Conversely, when the clocks “fall back” by one hour in the Autumn “fall”, typically around October or November, we return to GMT / Standard Time. This allows us to have more daylight in the morning, which can be especially helpful for activities like commuting and school runs.
The idea behind DST is to align our waking hours with the natural daylight patterns, which can potentially lead to energy savings and various other benefits, such as increased outdoor activities and reduced traffic accidents during well-lit evenings.
The idea of maximising “daylight” activities has been around a for a long time, it’s recorded that the Romans did it, Benjamin Franklin proposed it in the 1780’s. William Willett wrote a paper called The Waste of Daylight, which was published in 1907 (Fun Fact – Williet is a distant relative of Chris Martin of Coldplay).
Prioritising Safety as Darkness Descends:
As the days grow shorter and darkness blankets the evenings earlier, safety takes the spotlight, particularly for those finding themselves alone during the longer dark hours. For individuals working late on their own, Lone Working Apps like MyTeamSafe steps in to provide an extra layer of recurrence and security. Our app empowers lone workers to conveniently check in at regular intervals, offering peace of mind to both employees and employers. Whether it’s securing a facility; making visits, cleaning an office or simply being at the other end of an empty building or school, accidents can occur at any moment, and the vulnerability of lone workers heightens when it’s darker, as artificial light is much more variable and patchy.
It’s also critical and legal duty of care to ensure the safety of employees by having accountability and the ability to request aid if necessary, in addition to already having carried out Risk Assessments. An application like ours evolves into an even more precious tool, giving an extra layer of reassurance as the nights extend, potentially bringing additional hazards.
As we prepare to welcome the shift in daylight-saving time, let’s also take some proactive steps. Check your devices to ensure they smoothly transition along with the clocks. And remember the importance of safety as darkness descends earlier. Whether you’re a lone worker or employ lone workers, consider exploring safety apps like MyTeamSafe to stay connected and protected during these darker evenings.
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