Permanent daylight saving time brings darker mornings, which means children will be travelling to school before sunrise during parts of the fall and winter.
Fraser Health is sharing the information below to support students and families as they adapt to year-round Pacific Time and maintain healthy sleep habits and safe travel to and from school.
What families can do
Reduced morning light can affect sleep, alertness and mood, particularly among adolescents, whose biological clocks naturally favour later sleep and wake times. Support healthy sleep and well-being by:
- Spending time outdoors during daylight hours whenever possible.
- Encouraging physical activity and social connection through after-school programs and activities.
- Maintaining consistent bedtimes and wake-up times.
- Turning off screens at least one hour before bedtime, as evening screen use can make it harder to fall asleep.
Support safe travel to and from school by:
- Helping children choose well-lit routes with sidewalks and designated crossings.
- Encouraging children to wear reflective or high-visibility clothing and use a flashlight when travelling during darker morning hours.
- Reminding children to use designated crossings, scan traffic, and make sure vehicles have stopped before crossing.
If driving:
- Use extra caution when driving near schools, crosswalks, intersections and shared pathways.
- Be aware of one’s surroundings and refraining from cell phone use, make eye contact, and shoulder check before turning or changing direction.
- Travel at slow speeds and stop completely at stop signs and crosswalks.
For more information on staying healthy and safe this fall and winter, visit fraserhealth.ca/setfortheseason.