They are supposed to be changed once a year and most people do it when daylight time goes on or off in the spring or fall. I prefer to do it in the fall since that's the time when our furnace is running full force due to cold weather. Smoke alarms should be tested once a month to be sure they are working. If you're like me, you test it every time you bake something. Cookies are a sure thing for me, if I want to test the smoke alarm! I always burn at least one batch and the smoke alarm seems to always work!!
Anyway, I'm being a bit flip here but I have some very serious photos to show you.
Two weeks ago a good friend of my sister's (and of mine) lost her beautiful home to fire. Her and her husband were out on Saturday night and when they came home, they found firefighters battling a fully engaged fire in their home. The home was a total loss. They also lost their 3 kitties. Somehow her husband was able to get to the dogs and get them out. They have lost everything. Well, they lost all their material things. They are fine tho and seem to have a pretty good attitude about it all. They are good Christian people and I'm sure that's helping them thru this. Here are the photos my sister took after the fire.
They still haven't determined the cause of the fire and my little tirade about smoke alarm batteries really had nothing to do with this fire because since they weren't home at the time of the fire, smoke alarms wouldn't have done any good in this case. But change your batteries anyway...it's a very important thing to do!
Thanks for the important reminder. I'll add it to the "To Do" list.
ReplyDeleteMy smoke alarms haven't had batteries in them for...oh...15 years or so. I have HIGH ceilings, like - really high - and it's a PITA to even get to them. The dogs are my smoke detectors. I know, I know. I really *should* have smoke alarms.....
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your friends' tragedy. It really is nothing to joke about. CHANGE YOUR BATTERIES PEOPLE!
Wow! There's nothing left. How awful!
ReplyDeleteWe have smoke detectors all over the house, and two different types, plus a carbon monoxide detector. Oh, and Ginni -- I test my smoke detectors browning chicken!
Having a house fire is one of my biggest fears. Great reminder.
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna horn in here...
-Vacuum the inside of your furnace out once a year
-Change your filters at least once a year
-Clean out your dryer vent!
I'm so sorry for your friends!! Our #1 son and his wife and urchins lost the home they rented to a fire a few years ago. All was lost. fortunately they had renters insurance and NO ONE was home. It's so hard to start over though. My heart goes out to them.
ReplyDeleteBTW- our batteries have been changed, vents cleaned and all vacuumed . :)