Daylight Saving Time 2016 is Here, Clocks Spring Forward

Daylight saving time will soon spring more evening sunlight onto a vitamin D deficient Chicago as we move our clocks forward, inching closer to the end of winter.

This year, daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 13, and the sun will set on Chicago at 6:55 p.m.

Most devices, such as smartphones, computers and tablets, will change on their own, but don't forget to bump your microwave, stove and car clocks ahead an hour before going to sleep Saturday or after waking up Sunday.

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As long as you're fiddling with those analog clocks, it's a good time to test and replace batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Though we welcome the later sunshine, most of us feel a little grumpy about losing an hour of sleep.

Sivakami Krishnan, a doctor specializing in family medicine with Edward-Elmhurst Health, recommends the following tips to help children adjust to the time change. But we won't judge any adults who want to take advantage of this advice, as well.

Put your child to bed 15 minutes earlier on the Wednesday before the time change. Thursday night, move bedtime back another 15 minutes. By Saturday night, your child will be in bed a full hour earlier, which could make waking up easier.

If your child has trouble sleeping with daylight streaming into the bedroom, close the shades tight at bedtime or put up black-out shades. In the morning, let the natural light into the room to help them wake up.

Make the Saturday before the clocks spring ahead an active, busy one. Get your little ones tired out so they fall asleep soon after their heads hit their pillows.

The National Weather Service Chicago forecasts "spring-like conditions" through this week and into the next. Check Your Chicago, IL Local Weather Forecast.

Hang in there. The first day of spring is March 20.

Image via shutterstock.