Almost time to 'spring forward'

Despite winter weather being on the minds of most in the Triangle, it's time to turn clocks forward on Sunday.

Daylight Saving Time officially begins at 2 a.m. on March 9. Fire departments suggest changing batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and turning clocks forward on Saturday before bed.

The federal law that established "daylight time" in the United States does not require any area to observe daylight saving time. But if a state chooses to observe DST, it must follow the starting and ending dates set by the law.

From 1986 to 2006 this was the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October, but starting in 2007, it is observed from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, adding about a month to Daylight Saving Time.

By the way, many say "daylight savings time," but that is incorrect. It's daylight saving time.