Fire Safety I recently came across an important safety tip that surprised me, so I wanted to pass it along to you. Every time we adjust our clocks to conform to daylight savings changes, we're reminded to change the batteries in our smoke detectors. This year, I saw a TV report that added this note: It may also be time to replace your smoke detector. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), smoke detectors are like any electrical device: sooner or later they wear out. USFA officials recommend that you use a marker to write your smoke detector's purchase date on the inside of the unit. Most smoke detectors can be expected to work dependably for about eight-to-ten years. And in addition to replacing batteries at least once each year, the USFA suggests an occasional cleaning: "Dust and debris can interfere with their operation, so vacuum over and around your smoke alarm regularly." You can find more information about smoke detector maintenance at the USDA web site: usfa.dhs.gov. | 
