Day #21

Yes.. It's a smoke detector. I know that. But this is a brand new one!

Now, I know that we all know to change the batteries in our smoke detectors when we "Spring Forward & Fall Back"

BUT DID YOU KNOW?

...smoke alarms with the UL label have been certified with an expected useful life of 10 years. EPA.gov

I didn't know this. So I replace the smoke detector that has been in our house since the year it was built, 24 years. And for a $10.00 item that could save me and my family. I am not taking any chances. I even replaced the battery operated ones too while I was at it.

Oh.. One other thing. Don't throw that old smoke detector in the trash. Smoke detectors contain a small amount of radioactive material. EPA.gov

Here are a few more fact about smoke detectors.

Out of 96 million American households, 11 million have no working smoke detectors and 16 million have detectors but none of them work. (Consumer Product Safety Commission)

The four most common reasons for non-working smoke detectors.

1. Disconnected batteries to prevent nuisance alarms
2. Dead batteries
3. Debris build up/obstruction
4. Component failure due to age(Consumer Product Safety Commission)
The death rate in homes are 45% lower when one working smoke detector is present. (NFPA)

For me and my family, its definitely worth the $30.00 spent. I think I will be adding a few more.