Daylight Saving Time will end Sunday, November 1. After getting an extra hour of sleep, our internal body clocks can take up to a week to acclimate to this schedule shift.

This may result in feeling temporarily sluggish which can impact our reaction time, decision-making skills, and concentration. Studies have shown that accidents increase around this time. By being aware of this, we can prevent incidents by staying alert and adding a little extra focus on our tasks.

• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Avoid heavy foods before driving.
• Avoid medications that cause drowsiness.
• Watch for signs of drowsy driving.
  – Difficultly focusing, frequent blinking, and / or heavy eyelids.
  – Yawning repeatedly.
  – Fidgeting in your seat.
  – Trouble keeping your head up.
  – Difficulty staying in your lane.

Time Change Checklist. Did you remember to:

• Check and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Check and replace the batteries in your flashlights.
• Check to see if your fire extinguishers need recharging or replaced.
• Check and replace any burned-out light bulbs, inside and outside.
• Properly dispose of expired medicines.
• Prepare a winter emergency kit for your automobile.

For more information about drowsy driving, visit the National Sleep Foundation’s drowsy driving website.