Yakima Residents: Don’t Forget to Set Clocks Forward This Sunday

We spring forward on Sunday so it's time to change your clocks in the kitchen, the car and anywhere else you don't have a digital clock hooked to the internet. You'll also need to check that attitude that's because you'll be losing an hour of sleep.

WHY ARE WE STILL CHANGING CLOCKS IN WA??????

Congress never authorized the change, so Washington remains on a twice-a-year time shift, even as neighboring British Columbia announced this week that it is adopting permanent daylight saving time.

LOSS OF SLEEP CAN IMPACT YOUR HEALTH

Losing sleep can not only make you a grouch but it can also impact your health. The darker mornings and longer days can cause an increase in heart attacks, strokes and other health problems. Experts say try and get to bed earlier before the change.
The actual change happens 2:00 am on Sunday so you can change the clocks on Saturday night. Fire officials are also hoping you'll check your smoke alarms.

READ MORE: YAKIMA SPEED PATROLS CATCHING DRIVERS

CHECK THOSE SMOKE ALARMS

According to the National Fire Protection Association, working smoke alarms save lives by cutting the risk of dying in a home fire by half. You know where to place those detectors, in every bedroom, in hallways outside bedrooms, and on every floor of the home, including basements.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

If you are a landlord don't forget rental housing must also have working smoke alarms. Fire officials say you should call your landlord or property manager if your rental home does not have smoke alarms installed. Maintenance and testing of smoke alarms is the responsibility of the tenant. The Yakima Fire Department also suggests you review your family emergency escape plan. With the official start of Spring fire officials also has spring cleaning safety tips:

Clean your garage of stored newspapers or other rubbish that can fuel a fire.
Test your smoke alarms monthly.
Keep outdoor debris or dead vegetation away from your house.
Properly dispose of oily or greasy rags.

DON'T THROW THOSE MEDICATIONS IN THE TRASH

Yakima Fire Department officials also suggest taking unwanted or expired medicines to a prescription drop box. Medication drop-box locations in Yakima include the Yakima Police Department, 200 S. 3rd St.; Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, 12 S. 8th St.; Central Washington Family Medicine, 1806 W. Lincoln Ave.; and Rite Aid pharmacies.