Daylight Saving Time 2013 Starts Sunday March 10

By now, most people in Mercer Island have noticed that daylight is beginning a little earlier each morning—that means spring and Daylight Saving Time are near.

In 2013, the big shift happens this Sunday, March 10.

On that date, most of the U.S. will 'spring' clocks forward at 2 a.m., meaning, yes, that you'll lose an hour of sleep. But you'll get an extra hour of daylight at the end of the day.

In the meantime, the Washington State Fire Marshal's Office is reminding residents to change and test the batteries in their smoke alarms.

“Smoke alarms most often fail because of missing, dead or disconnected batteries so maintenance is a simple, effective way to protect you and your family,” said State Fire Marshal Charles M. Duffy.

Daylight Saving Trivia

The time change used to start four weeks later than it does now, but in 2005, President George W. Bush signed a bill that extended Daylight Saving Time to preserve energy, according to NASA's website on the topic.

Since 2007, Daylight Saving Time has started every year at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March, NASA reports.

The change affects all states except Arizona and Hawaii.

Daylight Saving Time will last until Nov. 3, 2013.