Daylight Saving Time 2017: Turn and Test

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Get ready to lose an hour of sleep. Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday, March 12, 2017.

Officially the time change is at 2 a.m. Sunday, but if you have an analog clock or one like on the microwave that doesn’t automatically change as your smartphone does, you will want to advance the time by an hour before you go to bed.

“Spring ahead” is the adage, get it?

Well, the regional Red Cross has another slogan they'd like to become just as familiar: "Turn and Test." You want to turn your clocks back an hour and test the batteries in your smoke alarms.

The rationale behind Daylight Saving Time, that it saves time and money, is in doubt by many.

The rationale behind Turn and Test is not in doubt at all.

“Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half,” said Mary Young, CEO, American Red Cross Metro New York North. “Turn and test is a reminder to set your clocks back and take a few minutes to push the test button to make sure all alarms are working.”