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Fall back, then test your alarms
It's 3 AM. Somewhere in the house, a chirp. Thirty seconds later, another one. Now you're standing on a chair in the dark, trying to figure out which alarm it is.
Take a look at this somewhat funny video, or at least my kids think it’s funny.
Annoying, sure. But that chirp means the alarm is doing its job. The one to worry about is the alarm that never makes a sound, because the battery got pulled years ago or it's long past its expiration date.
Daylight saving time ends this Sunday, November 1. When you set your clocks back, take 10 minutes and check every alarm in the house.
Check your alarms in 10 minutes
Press the test button on every smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. You should hear a loud beep. Do this once a month (NFPA).
Check the date on the back. Replace smoke alarms 10 years after the date of manufacture. Combination smoke and CO alarms usually need replacing sooner, around 7 to 10 years (NFPA).
Handle the batteries. Replaceable batteries need changing at least once a year. If a sealed 10-year alarm starts chirping, replace the whole alarm (NFPA).
Make sure you have enough. You want smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level, including the basement. CO alarms go outside each sleeping area and on every level (NFPA).
Know the sounds. A single chirp every 30 to 60 seconds usually means a low battery. Four beeps, a pause, then four more, over and over, is a CO alarm. Get everyone out and call 911 (NFPA).
Hardwired alarms? We have pros ready to help.
The best protection is interconnected alarms, so when one goes off, they all go off. Those are installed by an electrician (NFPA). We have pros ready to help in our directory. Tap the red Request button, tell them what you need and when, and your request goes straight to them.
Set the clocks back, test the alarms. Ten minutes, and you're done.
The Book You Keep Meaning to Read Is Here
Everyone has a list of books they swear they'll get to. Atomic Habits. Never Split the Difference. The 48 Laws of Power.
Shortform has covered over 15,000 books, so the one you're thinking of is probably there. Each guide gives you the key ideas, how they connect to other books, and what to do with them.
Swap 10 minutes of scrolling for one big idea a day.
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Contractors: first three months are free, no credit card required. fairfieldtownandtrade.com/get-listed
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Fairfield weather this week
Wed: Frost early, then partly sunny ⛅, 59°
Thu: Sunny ☀️, 67°
Fri: Sunny ☀️, 70°
Sat: Mostly sunny 🌤️, 62°
Sun: Partly sunny ⛅, 63°
Patchy frost Wednesday morning? Pull your hoses today.
Forecast: National Weather Service
See you next week.
Fairfield Town and Trade is proudly owned and operated by a disabled veteran.
