| "The wiring is probably defective because the | | | | arriving home, I began my internet research in |
| smoke detector in our home office had not | | | | addition to talking with one of our neighbors who |
| functioned properly in several months," I thought. | | | | is a fireman. |
| After replacing the nine-volt battery, it still did not | | | | "Nine years? You are on borrowed time," he said. |
| work. My daughter and I went to a home | | | | I gasped after realizing the price was a minimal |
| improvement store to purchase a water filter for | | | | investment in comparison with the precious life of |
| our refrigerator. We were welcomed and sales | | | | my family. |
| associates asked if they could help us. Silently, I | | | | Pricing the home safety devices on the internet |
| reviewed my to-do checklist for that day, which | | | | and at two local home improvement stores, I |
| included a water filter and a smoke detector. | | | | purchased a package of six detectors and |
| Shelves were lined with the home safety devices | | | | nine-volt batteries. My neighbor, the fireman, |
| made by different companies with different | | | | offered to install them for us. After he installed |
| styles. I knew the devices in our home were | | | | them, we thanked him for his time and |
| wired to electricity rather than battery operated. | | | | knowledge. He smiled and said, "You are just |
| All the boxes looked the same until one of the | | | | making our job easier. We wish other folks would |
| sales associates explained the differences and | | | | be willing to maintain basic home safety |
| similarities. | | | | procedures like you are doing." |
| "One of my friends told me that detectors need | | | | My family and I are fortunate we learned, before |
| to be replaced every six or seven years. But, | | | | an emergency, that there is no difference in |
| that only applies to the battery operated ones, | | | | smoke detectors, whether battery-operated or |
| right?" I asked but quickly learned that answer | | | | electrically wired. |
| was defective. | | | | Learn from my mistake and check the issue date |
| We replaced the nine-volt batteries twice each | | | | of your smoke detectors if you have not already |
| year since we moved in our new home, but we | | | | done so. |
| had never installed new safety devices. | | | | A verse in the Bible states, "Night comes when |
| Embarrassed at my lack of knowledge for fire | | | | no man can work..." So, do what you can |
| safety in our home, I took immediate action and | | | | everyday, while you can. |
| began checking the styles and prices. After | | | | |
