Turn your clocks forward one hour. Daylight saving time kicks off the second Sunday of March at 2 a.m.

The weekend most Canadians spring forward one hour is also the ideal time to tackle seasonal safety projects.
A lot of the routine maintenance on your home and car should be done twice a year, so what better time to start
checking items off your “to-do” list?

  • Is paying less for your auto insurance on your “to-do” list? On average, Kanetix.ca customers save $750
    on their car insurance just by shopping around. See if you could be saving too and
    compare car insurance quotes today.

 

Around the house

  • Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and test both devices to make sure
    they are in working order.Spring Forward Tip: Don’t toss the batteries; there may still be juice in
    them. They can be used in children’s toys or electronic devices. Squeeze out every drop of power,
    then recycle them.
  • Check your furnace’s filter and replace it if it is clogged or dirty. Your furnace filter has been busy this
    heating season and should be cleaned or replaced at least every two months.
  • Clear all your gear away from the furnace. Access to your furnace, and the area around it, should be clear
    of obstructions no matter what the season.
  • Clean gutters and downspouts to remove debris that may have accumulated during the winter. If clogged,
    spring showers can wreck havoc and possibly cause leaks.

  • Hopefully you’ll soon be using your BBQ. Check the tank and hose for leaks or cracks and replace if
    necessary. Don’t forget to fill the tank up while you’re at it because you never know when the weather
    might be ideal for the first BBQ of the season!
  • Go through your medicine cabinet for expired medication. Your pharmacist should be able to either take
    your old medications or provide you with information about where to dispose of them.
  • Inventory your home’s first aid kit and replace items that are expired, or replenish items like bandages
    that may be running low.

 

In your car

  • Do not remove your car safety kit! Keep it in your car for the whole year. You never know when you
    might need that flashlight or those jumper cables.
  • Change your wiper blades. They should be replaced every six months.
  • A change of season equals a change of oil. This will help to ensure your car operates at peak efficiency.
  • Your car’s belts and hoses have dealt with extreme cold, snow, salt and sand in the last few months.
    Get them checked to make sure everything is connected properly and running smoothly.
  • If you change your tires seasonally, you’ll want to soon consider putting your all season tires on.
    A good rule-of-thumb is to switch when the temperature is consistently above 7°C.

    • Does your auto insurance rate include the winter tire discount? If so, typically the tires need
      to be on the vehicle from November to April.
    • Live in Quebec? Don’t switch your tires until after March 15th; otherwise you could face fines
      ranging from $200 to $300.
  • If you don’t change your tires seasonally, check your tire pressure and treads. If your tire pressure
    is off you’ll notice irregular and uneven wear on your treads, reduced vehicle handling or
    decreased gas mileage.

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