It's that time of year again, ladies - time to reset the clocks. Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend: spring ahead, fall back, and all that jazz.
While you're at it, make sure you check your smoke alarm batteries and your carbon monoxide alarms. The CPSC recommends that smoke alarms be replaced every ten years and CO alarms be replaced every five years. In addition to testing the batteries, make sure you replace them at least annually - doing it this time of year is particularly handy, as it's easy to remember and you'll know that the smoke detector works before you curl up in front of a toasty fireplace this winter. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) there were more than one and half million fires reported in 2005, causing almost 4,000 deaths and 18,000 injuries. Makes you wonder how many of those injuries and deaths could have been prevented with a working smoke alarm. Please, Workerettes, I want you to keep visiting me - so make sure your alarms work as a precaution. An early warning system could literally mean life and death in a fire.
(PS: this is also a great time of year to create a fire escape plan if you don't already have one, and go over it with everyone who lives in your house. Don't have a plan yet? Pop by your local fire department and ask them for some suggestions.)
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