What’s not to love about Daylight Savings Time (DST), especially here in New England.  It’s a precursor of spring, a sign that the worst of winter is over, and provides more daylight hours to enjoy being outdoors.

At the same time, DST didn’t just come into being on its own. So, to liven up your next conversation with family, friends, or co-workers, here are some fun facts about DST we’re confident you’ll enjoy.

• In 1784, Benjamin Franklin suggested that people get out of bed earlier in the spring and summer months to enjoy more natural light. Though DST was adopted and repealed once or twice, it wasn’t until 1966 that it became official throughout most of the U.S.

• Daylight saving time was first enacted in Europe during World War I. Germany and Austria moved their clocks forward one hour between April 30th and October 1st to conserve fuel. The UK and several other European countries soon followed suit.
• Farmers strongly opposed the official adoption of DST, and many continue to fight for its abolition, especially dairy farmers. They contend that grain is best harvested after morning dew evaporates, and that cows are particularly sensitive to milking times.
• For decades, candy makers lobbied for daylight saving time, believing it would lead to more candy sales around Halloween. However, after the federal government established daylight savings time, children simply waited until dark to go trick-or-treating.
• “Cyberloafing,” or surfing the web for enjoyment during work hours, increases significantly the first Monday after DST begins. Researchers attribute this increase to lack of sleep and thus lack of focus and motivation.
• Drive-in movie theater owners and enthusiasts blame DST for some of the industry’s decline, arguing that the extended evening daylight prevented drive-in theaters from starting at a family-friendly hour.
• A 2014 study conducted by the University of Colorado at Boulder found that drivers were at a higher risk of getting into a car accident in the days after DST than on any other day. The 10-year study attributed 302 traffic fatalities to DST.
• Because more daylight hours encourage people to spend more time and money on outdoor activities, many retail establishments – including shopping and dining – have long supported DST. Outdoor grill and charcoal manufacturers are especially grateful for the time change to the tune of about $200 million in sales.

Here’s another interesting fact about DST. Contrary to popular belief, most home burglaries occur in the summer during daylight hours vs. during the Standard Time months.  Part of the reason is that more families take vacations during the summer than any other time of the year.  Plus, more windows are left open, outbuildings unlocked, and so on.

Contact Now Security Systems today to learn how to beef up your home security during the summer and all year long.