Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, springing us forward to 3 a.m.

Moving clocks forward one hour means it will stay lighter later for the coming months, with later sunsets.

Seventy countries observe daylight saving time, including most of Europe.

The first daylight saving time in the United States went into effect March 31, 1918, under the Standard Time Act. According to the Library of Congress, the law was intended to save on electricity as well as give Americans “an extra hour of sun to enjoy.”

However, the law was unpopular and repealed after seven months. It was brought back between 1942 and 1945 during World War II for energy-saving purposes.

Daylight saving time as it is known today was re-introduced in 1966 under the Uniform Time Act. 

In 2018, 60% of California voters voted to establish permanent daylight saving time. However, the bill did not make it past the State Assembly and Senate by the end-of-session deadline, and the state continues to go through the twice-yearly time switch.

While resetting the clocks, including the one on the microwave, or in the car, it is a good habit to also check smoke detector batteries, fire agencies say.

CalFire suggests checking smoke detectors monthly, and replacing old batteries as necessary. Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years. 

The risk of dying in a reported home structure fire is 55% lower in homes with working smoke detectors than homes without, according to CalFire.

A 2021 study found that almost three out of five home fire deaths were in properties without smoke detectors or smoke detectors that were not working.