A Safety Measure Often Forgotten

A Safety Measure Often Forgotten
When simple maintenance can make the difference in your life, not taking the time can be a costly mistake.

You are in the kitchen cooking something to eat and step away for only a minute. Suddenly there is a cloud of smoke and the realization that your lunch is well, carbonized. As if that wasn't enough, there is the unmistakable screech of your smoke alarm as it erupts to life, informing your neighbors that you have once again forgotten your pannini in the toaster over. Annoyance and embarrassment are the feeling that move through you, as you race to pull the battery from the smoke alarm, before opening all the doors and trying to move the smoke with a dish towel.

While this little incident serves as a reminder of your culinary inability, it is also a good sign. Your smoke alarm works. As they sit idly above our heads, these sometime disturbing little devices are a vigilant early warning device. This fact dawns on you as you put the battery back in the alarm, and begin to wonder just how old the battery is. Then, the thought of the smoke alarm not working when you need it hits home. Luckily you've had this moment to think about such things before a tragedy occurs.

At the start of this new year, make the resolution to be proactive toward household safety maintenance. Make sure to check and maintain smoke alarms by testing them once a month using the manufacturer’s instructions. Change the batteries once a year and, using a permanent market, write the date you changed it on the inside of the battery cover. Do the same for carbon monoxide detectors. If you do not have these alarms, or do not have enough (one at the entrance, in hallways, and usually one per bedroom), they can be purchased at most hardware stores and installed with relative ease. This small effort will help keep you, your family, your guests and your property safe.

For these and other helpful hints on safety, maintenance, and improvement, please visit the resources section of condo.com