If you're like me, you don't notice every little detail, and that includes little things that hide on the ceiling we call smoke detectors. Most people can't tell you where they are located in their home and when the last time they were maintained.

Not to worry, this is completely normal. The unfortunate thing is, these little guys are all that's keeping our family safe from fire, and we all neglect them like the thirsty succulents on our kitchen window sill. But there is good news!!!

There are some easy ways to get them going again and make sure your family can sleep safe knowing you will be notified if anything were to happen.

1. DID YOU KNOW SMOKE DETECTORS EXPIRE?

In fact, it seems this is a secret no one seems to be aware of. The average smoke detector has a lifespan of 10 years or less! That means almost everyone you know has smoke detectors that need to be replaced.

Most of us move into a house with expired detectors and live there another 5 to 10 years never knowing the one thing we rely on for fire safety in our home most likely do not work.

2. IF YOU HAVE YELLOW SMOKE DETECTORS, THEY ARE EXPIRED.

We have all seen yellow smoke detectors and if you're like me, you just assumed that used to be the style. Well yes, colors change over the years, but knowing our lack of attention span, manufacturers attempted to do us a great favor.

They painted their detectors with a special paint that oxidizes and turns yellow around the 10-year mark. So yes if you're thinking it may have been a style to have yellow detectors in the 80s, that just means your detectors are triple expired.

3. DID YOU KNOW IT’S CODE TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE CARBON MONOXIDE IN YOUR HOME?

Carbon Monoxide is a byproduct of combustion. So that would be any fuel-burning appliances or items in your home like gas ranges, gas dryers, gas furnaces, gas water heaters, fireplaces, automobiles, etc.

There are many styles of these devices but the most common is a carbon/smoke detector combo. You would assume you would want these in your garage or basement, but contrary to belief most local inspectors prefer them in your hallway by the bedrooms. Why, because most carbon monoxide-related fatalities happen while people are asleep.

4. WHERE DO SMOKE DETECTORS NEED TO GO?

By code, smoke detectors are required in all sleeping areas, defined as anywhere someone could lay down and take a nap. Outside of each sleeping room, at least 21 ft from the hallway. On all levels of the home: 

• Attics/Basements with Utilities – Furnace/Water Heater. 
  
  

• DO NOT install smoke detectors within 3 ft of the tip of a ceiling fan or an AC register.
  
  

• DO NOT install smoke detectors within 3 ft of a door leading to a bathroom containing a shower or tub.
  
  

• DO NOT install smoke detectors within 10 ft of a fixed cooking appliance unless listed for the application.

5. SMOKE DETECTORS ARE SUPPOSED TO TALK TO EACH OTHER.

They require what is called interconnection. This means when one goes off they all go off. Let me give you an example. We did not have these growing up in my house. We just had the cheap battery-powered stand-alone devices most older homes have.

I used to love comic books as a kid and would find myself reading them late into the night and passing out at some point. One night I passed out and tipped over the large metal desk lamp and it ended up in a pile of clothes. My smoke alarm went off but none of the others in the house did, so I was by myself trying to put out a fire while my family slept downstairs. This is why interconnection is so important.

To summarize, see if your detectors are expired because most likely they are. Make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector even if you just go by a plug-in device. Be aware of where your detectors are supposed to be located for your safety.

Make sure they are interconnected. With these simple inexpensive steps, you can make sure your family is safe from a house fire as much as possible. Keep in mind they have 10-year sealed lithium ion smoke detectors that are also interconnected through radio signals, so it can be done no matter the situation. So make when your writing up your next to-do list, make sure to put this at the top.