| Smoke detectors are an easy and inexpensive | | | | result from cooking can set it off in which case |
| way to prevent and minimize fire damage to your | | | | you should simply move it slightly farther away. |
| home. They are the most important appliances | | | | Another option in the kitchen is to use an |
| you will ever buy. What is the number one thing | | | | ionization detector. These work well in situations |
| you can do to protect your house from the | | | | where fires are spreading quickly and there are a |
| dangers of fire? Ask any firefighter and they will | | | | lot of flames but do not react to low |
| say that you need to make sure you have | | | | temperature smoke like cooking. However for the |
| working smoke detectors installed. Detectors | | | | rest of the house make sure to use the photo |
| have saved tens of thousands of people's lives, | | | | electronic type in case of low burning flames. |
| and prevented just as many, if not more, injuries. | | | | Of course all of the protection in the world is |
| They are available at the hardware store, the | | | | going to do you any good if you do not maintain |
| grocery store, and home improvement stores. | | | | them. Check the batteries once a week to make |
| They are incredibly inexpensive and often run on | | | | sure they are all in working order. Most units |
| just a battery that will last them over a year. | | | | today have a button on test that you can simply |
| Additionally they are simple to install and will | | | | press to be sure that it is functioning. If it does |
| mount almost anywhere. With this in mind you | | | | not beep it may need a new battery or need to |
| should mount at least one on every floor, but it | | | | be replaced. |
| does not hurt to have one in each room of the | | | | Many people check all of their units at the same |
| house. There is one room that should never be | | | | time each week to be thorough. Another thing |
| without one, though. | | | | that has become a sort of cultural tradition is |
| The most important place to have a smoke | | | | changing the batteries twice a year when you |
| detector is in the kitchen. This may seem like an | | | | change the clocks for Daylight Saving Time. If this |
| obvious choice but the highest risk of fire is going | | | | will help you remember then it is a great habit to |
| to be in this room. One thing to be aware of | | | | get into. Whatever it takes just be sure to stay |
| however is that you do not mount it too close to | | | | on top of maintenance to protect your health and |
| the stove. Often steam and light smoke that | | | | home. |